CHANGES are due to be put in place for staffed opening hours in Hampshire’s libraries.

This follows a decision to transform the library service in order to meet the changing needs of customers and save £1.76 million.

Plans include the staffed hours of 40 libraries being reduced by an average of 20%, and the closure of eight libraries that account for only 5% of visits to all libraries in Hampshire.

A county-wide consultation showed that 72% of respondents would be content with new opening hours at their local library.

The consultation began on August 3 and closed on August 17 and received more than 4,000 responses.

The County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “Our aim is to provide the best possible Library Service within our means and so it’s really important we understand how we can meet the needs of all Hampshire residents.”

Opening hours will differ across branches to ensure they meet the needs of their local community.

Staffed hours were revised for Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham and West End libraries after 28% indicated that the new opening hours would not meet their needs.

Councillor Woodward added: “The changes to hours will be largely completed by January 2021, and each library will be updating customers through their normal branch communication channels as these are put in place.”

Temporary hours have already been put in place for some libraries in the county as part of the councils response to the pandemic and most have now redistributed their hours to open on Saturdays.