Liverpool Council is proposing a major overhaul of opening hours across the city's 14 libraries, with some branches gaining extra time while others, including the flagship Central Library, face significant reductions.
The council said the changes would increase total opening hours across its network from 493 to 496.5 hours per week. The local authority said it "must take responsible steps to manage our budget while continuing to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service as required by law."
Central Library faces biggest cut
Liverpool Central Library on William Brown Street would see its weekly opening hours drop from 70 to 54. Currently open 9am to 8pm on weekdays, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 5pm on Sundays, the proposed changes would see it close completely on Sundays and close at 5pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The Archive Search Room within Central Library would also see its hours drastically reduced from 62.5 to 39 hours per week. It currently opens 9.30am to 7.30pm on weekdays, 9.30am to 4pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Under the plans, it would close permanently on Sundays and open 10am to 4pm daily except Tuesdays, when it would stay open until 7pm.
Mixed picture across the city
Several libraries would see reduced hours. Allerton Library would drop from 38 to 34.5 hours, with weekday closures moving to 5pm and Saturday opening extended to 5pm with a 30-minute lunch closure. Childwall Library would reduce from 38 to 35 hours, closing at 5pm daily and remaining shut on Sundays. Garston Library would fall from 37.5 to 34.5 hours, closing on Wednesdays. Speke Parklands would drop from 37.5 to 34.5 hours, closing on Wednesdays and Sundays. Norris Green Library would reduce from 38 to 34.5 hours, with 6pm closures cut to 5pm. West Derby Library would see the steepest relative cut, from 31 to 28 hours, remaining closed on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Other libraries would gain hours. Kensington would rise from 30 to 34.5 hours, opening six days a week. Lee Valley in Belle Vale would increase from 28 to 34.5 hours. Old Swan would go from 29 to 34.5 hours, Sefton Park from 28 to 34.5, Spellow from 29 to 34.5, Toxteth from 30 to 34.5, and Wavertree from 29 to 34.5. Many of these extended branches would operate 10am to 5pm on most days with a lunch closure on Saturdays.
Consultation open until October 17
The proposals are still being consulted on until October 17, and the council says it will take people's feedback into account before making a final decision.
