22/07/04 - Sunday opening for libraries

Cumbria County Council's six main libraries are to open on Sundays for a 12-month trial period this autumn. The extra weekend service will make family visits easier and Sunday sessions will be different, with special activities, performances, taster sessions on the libraries' computers - or a chance to just have a leisurely coffee and a chat.

Councillor Tim Heslop, Cabinet spokesman on libraries and archives, said:

"We hope that Sunday opening will give our existing customers an extra chance to use our services and be more convenient for them.

Also we hope that the extended hours will encourage people who are not usually library visitors to come along and see what is on offer in an even more relaxed atmosphere.

"Library users will be asked what they think of Sunday opening and we will encourage them to give their views to help the county council improve the library service and match their needs."

Liz Bowe, Cumbria County Council library operations manager, said:

"Public expectations have been transformed over the years. Users expect and deserve high quality library services to be available outside standard working hours to suit varied lifestyles and to be delivered in a modern, efficient and convenient way."

The libraries involved are the main branches at Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Penrith, Whitehaven and Workington. The plan is for them to open between 12 noon and 4pm.

An earlier four-month trial at Penrith Library brought in a wider range of users and was especially popular with families and young people. An extra benefit is that the scheme will create between 60 and 70 new part-time jobs for library assistants.

Sunday opening is only one of a number of improvements being introduced this year by Cumbria County Council, which has earmarked an extra £250,000 this year after a best value review of the library and archive services in Cumbria.