Council launches public consultation on new library opening hours

The council is considering introducing a new timetable that better matches resident demand, and removes current inefficient opening times.

Under the proposal the total staffed opening hours across all sites will remain unchanged and additional self-service opening hours will be available at Hanworth and Isleworth Leisure Centre.

A consultation on the Hounslow Libraries is now open for people to give their feedback and will run until Wednesday 3 April.

To have your say, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/consultations or come along to one of the open consultation sessions held across Hounslow.

• Sat 9 March, 9am-12noon at Beaver’s Library, 103 Salisbury Road, Hounslow TW4 7NW
• Tue 12 March, 5-8pm at Hounslow Library, Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN
• Thurs 14 March, 2-6pm at Cranford Library, Bath Road, Hounslow TW5 9TL
• Mon 18 March, 9.30am-1pm at Bedfont Library, Staines Road, Bedfont TW14 8BD
• Thurs 21 March, 1-5pm at Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre & Library, Uxbridge Road, London TW13 5EG
• Mon 25 March, 1-5pm at Isleworth Library, Twickenham Rd, Isleworth TW7 7EU

Councillor Sue Sampson, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, Hounslow Council, said: “This consultation gives our residents a chance to say if the new timetable fits with when they typically visit their library. If it doesn’t we want to look at that to match opening hours to where the demand is.

“We asked officers to consider a new timetable that minimises disruption to our existing key users and groups, and this proposal is what they believe fits the best. We look forward to hearing from library users now so we can take steps to refine it further where necessary”

The new timetable (shown below) would see all eleven branches remain open and it would also allow key services such as Storytime, reading groups, English language club and IT training to continue.

Change of Opening Hours

The timetable (shown below) allows library card holders to use these libraries based in Leisure Centres for study, borrowing and returning  of stock during unstaffed opening hours.