Dalry residents are having to put up with a 37% reduction in library opening hours while other readers/users have no reduction. Again we in Dalry are council tax payers and are entitled to the same service and consideration as the other NAC residents.
It is noted that the larger libraries in the area have no reduction in their opening hours. The last time this type of cost-cutting exercise took place Dalry Library suffered reduced hours. As a council tax payer and appreciating that savings may be required, I see no reason why all libraries should not have their opening hours reduced in such a way as to minimise the effect on the smaller libraries. If I was being cynical I would think that the longer term aim of NAC is to close Dalry and other smaller libraries altogether in the future.
A lot of Dalry readers/users are elderly, may not have cars and would be subjected to the abysmal bus service in the Garnock Valley to access other libraries in the district. The Wednesday and Saturday alternative opening hours proposal is not a sensible idea and I would suggest an every Saturday opening. This would obviate confusion and allow working readers/users a better service.
As the library has always been closed on a Wednesday can't understand why opening now on alternative weeks 9.30-1 would be helpful. People would not remember if this is the week it is open or was it open last week. A lot of library goers are retired/elderly and our minds are taken u remembering hospital appointments / medication etc. Would it not be better to use these hours on another day Thursday or Friday and leave Wednesday closed as it always has been. It won't make much difference to me as I come under the retired / elderly section. Hope you are able to resolve this putting the public first not the council!
I was disappointed to hear Dalry Library was reducing their opening hours. I work 12 hour shifts and my shift pattern changes every week and as a result of this, I am not always available to visit the Library on a Monday or Tuesday. I understand the Library will also be open on alternative Wednesdays and Saturdays. I would find this confusing and would avoid these days so I would not be disappointed about visiting the library only to find it difficult. I also would find it difficult to visit other local libraries as I do not own my own car and would have to rely on public transport to get there. I am an avid reader and feel the loss of this service would have an impact on me.
Printing and photocopying costs get risen by a ridiculous amount each year, like 10p, why not increase them more substantially.
Dalry had 3 libraries at one point
Instead of Wednesday – open longer on a Saturday. People won’t think to come on Wed as traditionally closed.
Awful what they are doing and it will take people out of the library.
During COVID we used the church hall, free of charge, we made a donation, if that is an alternative we will take it.
Has anyone said this is a good idea.
Use the space for something else when library closed.
Some authorities have libraries in trust how does this work and how can this be instigated. How many staff are in each library. Do NA have a library bus, could this be used as a replacement
Feel that long term plan is to close the library completely – reducing hours will make user numbers fall and then you will be saying the service is not used and want to close it.
Being a book club we are interlinked with the library.
What is involved in keyholding, alarm etc.
Computer classes, knitting groups how will they be accommodated moving forward.
Bookbug sessions will be reprogrammed by staff
Not everyone has a computer at home and you are taking that time away for use.
If external income could be raised could that be used to pay extra staff.
Could the library be a collection point for books that are then sold to charity to raise money for staffing
We have so many other groups to attend
Alternative days are confusing
The week-end is long if you are not seeing anyone - that's why we host on a Friday
Not against keyholding but cannot commit to attend each week to open up
We have been established 3-4 years
We will get used to the change as we don't want the group to stop
When will it happen
If keyholding do we need to attend if the alarm goes off at another time - No
How many consultations have there been over the years
Look how important the library was during COVID
Pity there is not a lend and mend hub in Dalry Library
This proposal is very disappointing. Not only are we losing days, but the inconsistency of opening hours is far too confusing, especially for older people. The library needs to be open the same days each week. I for one would avoid using the library on a Wednesday or Saturday as the proposal stands.
Dalry residents are having to put up with a 37% reduction in library opening hours while other readers/users have no reduction. Again we in Dalry are council tax payers and are entitled to the same service and consideration as the other NAC residents.
It is noted that the larger libraries in the area have no reduction in their opening hours. The last time this type of cost-cutting exercise took place Dalry Library suffered reduced hours. As a council tax payer and appreciating that savings may be required, I see no reason why all libraries should not have their opening hours reduced in such a way as to minimise the effect on the smaller libraries. If I was being cynical I would think that the longer term aim of NAC is to close Dalry and other smaller libraries altogether in the future.
A lot of Dalry readers/users are elderly, may not have cars and would be subjected to the abysmal bus service in the Garnock Valley to access other libraries in the district. The Wednesday and Saturday alternative opening hours proposal is not a sensible idea and I would suggest an every Saturday opening. This would obviate confusion and allow working readers/users a better service.
As the library has always been closed on a Wednesday can't understand why opening now on alternative weeks 9.30-1 would be helpful. People would not remember if this is the week it is open or was it open last week. A lot of library goers are retired/elderly and our minds are taken u remembering hospital appointments / medication etc. Would it not be better to use these hours on another day Thursday or Friday and leave Wednesday closed as it always has been. It won't make much difference to me as I come under the retired / elderly section. Hope you are able to resolve this putting the public first not the council!
I was disappointed to hear Dalry Library was reducing their opening hours. I work 12 hour shifts and my shift pattern changes every week and as a result of this, I am not always available to visit the Library on a Monday or Tuesday. I understand the Library will also be open on alternative Wednesdays and Saturdays. I would find this confusing and would avoid these days so I would not be disappointed about visiting the library only to find it difficult. I also would find it difficult to visit other local libraries as I do not own my own car and would have to rely on public transport to get there. I am an avid reader and feel the loss of this service would have an impact on me.
Printing and photocopying costs get risen by a ridiculous amount each year, like 10p, why not increase them more substantially.
Dalry had 3 libraries at one point
Instead of Wednesday – open longer on a Saturday. People won’t think to come on Wed as traditionally closed.
Awful what they are doing and it will take people out of the library.
During COVID we used the church hall, free of charge, we made a donation, if that is an alternative we will take it.
Has anyone said this is a good idea.
Use the space for something else when library closed.
Some authorities have libraries in trust how does this work and how can this be instigated. How many staff are in each library. Do NA have a library bus, could this be used as a replacement
Why do we always cut rather than promote the libraries. Get people in to grow it rather than kill it.
Bring back fines to raise money for staff,
Kilbirnie gets off scott free
Transport is an issue to move to another library 1 hour bus service. If we had a decent bus link it wouldn’t be an issue.
Literacy is a problem and will get worse.
Less people using the library
It is a statutory service you need to provide.
Soul destroying that you want to shut the library and this is the way you will manage it.
Why is the repair work not getting done in the branch it’s been going on for years. Very suspicious.
What happens to staff – will be realigned with new structure. Will staff be let go.
Volunteers, is this the way to save the library.
Are there any volunteers in NA
Is this just a paper exercise, will we be listened to
Why was the decision taken to reduce the hours.
What stats are available.
Feel that long term plan is to close the library completely – reducing hours will make user numbers fall and then you will be saying the service is not used and want to close it.
Being a book club we are interlinked with the library.
What is involved in keyholding, alarm etc.
Computer classes, knitting groups how will they be accommodated moving forward.
Bookbug sessions will be reprogrammed by staff
Not everyone has a computer at home and you are taking that time away for use.
If external income could be raised could that be used to pay extra staff.
Could the library be a collection point for books that are then sold to charity to raise money for staffing
When was this approved?
Was anyone consulted on this?
Waste department are doing similar cuts, is this happening across the board.
How much did it take to set up the consultation.
Online version of consultation is very confusing to complete, it didn’t look like it had saved when you answered the questions.
Who came up with the programme of opening
Alt Wed/Sat is confusing
Why not have one library open full day on a Wednesday and one open on the Saturday
Everyone knows that libraries are closed on a Wednesday, close it then and use that time for somewhere else.
What is the advantage of the 9.30 opening.
Make a day where is opens later and closes later for working people
Is there a list of functions that will not be delivered due to reduction of hours
Group is not too keen on keyholding – big responsibility. We may need to move to the Church Hall.
We have so many other groups to attend
Alternative days are confusing
The week-end is long if you are not seeing anyone - that's why we host on a Friday
Not against keyholding but cannot commit to attend each week to open up
We have been established 3-4 years
We will get used to the change as we don't want the group to stop
When will it happen
If keyholding do we need to attend if the alarm goes off at another time - No
How many consultations have there been over the years
Look how important the library was during COVID
Pity there is not a lend and mend hub in Dalry Library
This proposal is very disappointing. Not only are we losing days, but the inconsistency of opening hours is far too confusing, especially for older people. The library needs to be open the same days each week. I for one would avoid using the library on a Wednesday or Saturday as the proposal stands.