Detailed proposals on how Cumbria County Council intends to implement a reduction in library opening hours as part of its 2007/08 budget have been published.
The reduction in library hours are just part of the county council's efforts to meet an equal pay claim made by around 3,000 female members of staff, which is expected to cost around £50 million.
The county council's cabinet will be asked at its meeting on 20 February to approve how these hours should be shared among branches in each district.
The proposed distribution of hours, which has been selected to minimise disruption to library users as far as possible, will then be sent to the county council's six local area committees for final approval and any amendments.
Even with the proposed changes, Cumbria will still exceed the National Public Standard for library opening hours.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Library Services in Cumbria, said: "The decision to reduce library opening hours has been difficult, but nonetheless necessary as part of the council's efforts in this year's budget to meet equal pay liabilities.
"Cumbria's Library Service is already at the cutting edge when it comes to getting the value for money on things like book procurement and other back-office functions. However, the scale of efficiencies required this year mean front-line services have inevitably been affected.
"Every effort has been made to distribute these hours in each of the county's six library group areas in a way which minimises disruption to users as much as possible."
Cumbria County Council's Library Service is a top class performer and was awarded the highest possible audit commission rating last year.
ENDS
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Notes for editors
Cabinet papers (item 12) on this issue are available at: http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/councilmeetings/committees/documents.asp?Committee=2941&Date=20/02/2007&MeetingNo=
Follow this link to view the cabinet papers on this issue