Detailed proposals on how Cumbria County Council intends to implement a reduction in library opening hours as part of its 2007/08 budget have been agreed by the council's cabinet.
The average 10 per cent reduction in library hours are just part of the 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.
The county council's cabinet has today agreed a process for sharing these hours among branches in each district in a way which minimises disruption to library users as far as possible.
The proposed distribution of hours will now be sent to the county council's six local area committees for final approval and any amendments.
Even with the proposed changes, Cumbria will still exceed the National Public Standard for library opening hours.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Library Services in Cumbria, said: "Every effort has been made to distribute these hours in each of the county's six library group areas in a way which minimises disruption to users as much as possible."
Cumbria County Council's Library Service is a top class performer and was awarded the highest possible audit commission rating last year.
ENDS
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Notes for editors
Cabinet papers (item 12) can be found at with the attatched link
Follow this link to view cabinet papers (item 12)