Latest RSS Feed


Fears for future of Dorset libraries

9:20am Saturday 2nd January 2010


FEARS are growing that under-used libraries could lead to book borrowing services being axed across the county.

Dwindling visitor numbers could spell the end of the shelf lives of some libraries in Dorset, the local Liberal Democrats group claims.

They say that a significant reduction in library users in Dorchester, Puddletown and Bridport will be used as justification for closure. Latest figures show that the number of people using Dorset libraries has dropped by 10 per cent in the past year after opening hours were reduced.

Dorchester Library has seen a fall of 14 per cent, Bridport Library a reduction of 13 per cent and Puddletown Library a fall of 11 per cent.

Internet use – free for half an hour – has fallen by a third since charges were introduced, the county council’s Cultural Services Annual Performance Report shows.

Sue Farrant, Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, said: “This is something we really need to watch because of tight finances at the moment.

“There’s a real worry that if we see library users decline, the libraries will be closed.

“At a time of recession when everybody is feeling the pinch, we should be making it easier for people to use the libraries.

“For people who are desperately job hunting, internet access is essential. People on a limited budget can’t afford to buy newspapers, books or DVDs and rely on their local library.”

Dr Farrant says there are rumours that the Conservative-controlled county council will opt to save money by closing five to 10 local libraries.

Two years ago rural libraries were saved from the axe but their opening hours were cut and the number of books reduced.

A Dorset County Council spokeswoman said she was unaware of plans to shut any libraries in the county.

Tracy Long, Dorset County Council’s Library Service manager, said: “The use of libraries as measured by visitor and borrowing figures is part of a declining trend over a number of years and the decline cannot be solely attributed to the reduced opening hours.

“The use of the computers has dropped which is to be expected as more homes now have access to computers and broadband.

“Overall there is high customer satisfaction rating with the library service in Dorset.”


More Latest stories

Your Say YourDorset

popup, portland says...
9:58am Sat 2 Jan 10

There is also the point that you can now extend the length of time you have books online previously you would have had to take them back to do it so that would also reduce the number of visits.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

portlandboy, wyke regis says...
10:16am Sat 2 Jan 10

Is it any surprise that visitor numbers have fallen when you consider that the libraries are now usually only open when many potential users are at work or school?
But if we play with the figures in the same way that the councils might, and you consider the fact that library opening times were cut by up to 20% and visits only fell by up to 14% that could be seen as a 6% increase of visits per "open" hour, and therefore would have been an INCREASE in visits if the libraries were open as long as they were before the cutsbacks!

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Dorset Guy, Bridport says...
3:12pm Sat 2 Jan 10

Its easy targets as usual reduce the new books make opening hours less reduce service drive even more people away All is not lost as many other councils soon find out as Private Eye readers will know Libraries are a statututory obligation and a minimum service has to be provided & often the savings are minimal

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Mads, Weymouth says...
6:47pm Sat 2 Jan 10

At 34, Dorset has more libraries than any other county based on its population. In the Weymouth area alone there are five (two in Portland, one in Wyke, one in Weymouth and one in Chickerell).

Shutting a few would be no bad thing (some are only open a few hours a week and barely used). The money saved could then be invested in improving the opening hours and stock of the remaining ones.

This was proposed a couple of years ago, but councillors took the easy decision instead to reduce stock and opening hours.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

popup, portland says...
9:09am Sun 3 Jan 10

I must say Mads, a very short sighted blinkered response to a problem, there are many library users who are old and infirm not to mention the disabled who rely on their local library. By all means look at the usage figures etc but not just close them down, I agree Portland only needs one but that one needs to be much bigger so there would be little if any cost saving there, the one at Wyke I believe is well used and covers a large area, I don’t know anything about the Chickerell one but that also serves a large area. So which of these would you close I presume not the one in Weymouth as that is your local library. As far as I am concerned if savings must be made start with things like getting rid of the computers etc and go back to what a library is for BOOKS.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Mads, Weymouth says...
6:28pm Sun 3 Jan 10

In an ideal world we'd have a large number of top notch libraries, but given the financial constraints that's not possible. I'd therefore prefer a smaller number of decent libraries with long opening hours and modern facilities rather than a large number of libraries that are often closed and have very little stock.

Older or disabled people can drive or take the bus to town centres. Or if not, that's what the mobile library service is for. It's just not possible for there to be a decent library within every community.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Comments are closed on this article.



Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »