16 - Extended library opening hours announced

 

Dudley, Sourbridge, Kingswinford and Gornal libraries are the first libraries in the borough to extend their opening hours as part of an improved library service, the modernisation of which was approved by full council at the end of last year.

 

Dudley and Stourbridge Libraries will be the first libraries to introduce Sunday opening from Sunday June 22.    As a result of consultation on times, they will be opening from 10 am to 2 pm each Sunday and will also be open longer on Wednesday evenings.

 

Kingswinford Library will extend its opening hours by 12 hours a week, which will include opening on Thursdays.  Gornal Library will open an extra 15 and a half hours a week, including a full day on Thursday plus Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. 

 

Kingswinford and Gornal opening hours will be extended from Monday June 23 to provide an improved service for library users including customers from Wall Heath Library which is due to close on Saturday June 21.

 

The refurbishment of Wordsley Green Library will start in September 2008.  This will include a new entrance at the side of the building.

Customers are invited to see proposals for the refurbishments at Wordsley Library in June.  The improved building will provide a service for library users from the Wordsley area as the library at Brook Primary School is to close on Saturday June 14.   The new Sunday opening hours at Stourbridge Library will also benefit previous users of the library at Brook Primary School.

 

“The extended opening hours are part of the modernisation programme, which is designed to improve library services across the borough.  Extending the opening hours, including Sunday opening, of well used libraries is as a result of consultation feedback from library users.  We will also be introducing four new library links, which will be smaller library facilities located in community buildings”.

 

Opening hours at other borough libraries will be extended by 75 hours in total before the end of March 2009.

 

Residents are invited to contribute to the consultation on the extended opening hours to make sure the new times suit local demand.

 

For more information about the modernisation programme contact 01384 815551.