Changes to library opening hours come into effect next Tuesday (8 May) following public consultation and agreement by county councillors.
The average 10 per cent reduction in library hours is being introduced as part of Cumbria 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.
Councillors agreed to implement changes in library opening hours as part of the county council's 2007/08 budget which was agreed at a full meeting of the council on 15 Februrary. The distribution of hours has been selected to minimise disruption to library users as far as possible.
Even with the proposed changes, Cumbria will still exceed the National Public Standard for library opening hours.
Details on the new library hours can be found on the county council's website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries/librarycontacts/
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