Buckinghamshire Council has announced plans to reduce the hours of library staff and replace them with self-service facilities as part of a plan to save £555,000 a year.
The council leader admitted he was ‘uncomfortable’ with the outline cost-cutting measures as councillors approved them during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The savings plan – dubbed ‘library flex’ – will be introduced at eight county libraries: Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, Hazlemere, Marlow and Princes Risborough.
‘Self-operated’ technology will be fitted at these libraries so library users can use facilities without staff being present.
This will include computer-controlled doors, alarms and lighting, with new membership cards to give people out-of-hours access.
The council claims that this will allow it to cut staff hours by 25-30 per cent, while increasing public access by 50 per cent or more.
At High Wycombe Library, services will now only be delivered from one floor in a bid to reducing staffing, while at Burnham, the council will try to increase volunteer numbers to save money.
The council said services will not be 24/7 immediately and that ‘responsible community groups’ will be encouraged to run activities like yoga classes or film clubs at libraries.
Council leader Martin Tett said: “I liked the librarian always behind the counter. I think they performed not just a library service, with their knowledge of books and literature, but also a social service.”
However, he stressed that the council was in a ‘tough’ financial position and had to make ‘difficult decisions to balance the budget’.
Police operation launched to protect horse riders
Three-storey wedding cake to be removed from Waddesdon Manor
New community listening initiative launched in Bucks
Easy access to drugs and "disappointing" cleanliness levels at Bucks prison
Concerns raised over pedestrian safety in Aylesbury
Movember: Men Walking and Talking Aylesbury's Scott Grover tells us how they're helping local men
