Fury as London council plans to open libraries just three days a week in 'salami slicing' budget cuts

"An east London council has sparked criticism over plans to close some of its libraries for up to three days a week, as campaigners warn against salami slicing public services. On Wednesday Hackney Council opened a new public consultation on its proposals to reduce opening hours for the eight libraries across the borough, citing severe budget cuts. The council says it needs to make 773,000 savings across the service but to avoid closing any libraries it has floated three options."

"Under the first proposal it would close some sites for up to three days each week. Another option on the table is keeping some open for more days but forcing four libraries to close at 6pm rather than 8pm for at least three days a week. The third choice is to shorten opening hours across four sites at Shoreditch, Stamford Hill, Clapton and Homerton on Mondays, but close five libraries for at least one extra day of the week while leaving the remaining three sites' operating times the same."

"But on Thursday (30 October) campaigners attacked the council's belt-tightening and urged residents to reject all three options to avoid giving a public seal of approval to the budget cuts as a fait accompli. Brian Debus of Hackney Unison called on the Labour-run council to demand more funding from central government to avoid the cuts and stop the continual salami slicing of services. We believe Hackney Libraries provide a vital front-line service in our communities that should be cherished and protected, not consistently chipped away at, Mr Debus said."

Hackney Council has launched a public consultation proposing reduced opening hours at eight borough libraries to deliver £773,000 of savings without outright closures. Three options include closing some sites up to three days a week, shortening evening hours at four libraries, or selectively reducing hours and adding extra closed days across specified sites. Campaigners and union representatives urged residents to reject all options and called on the council to seek more central funding. Library staff and campaigners emphasized libraries' community role, noting that 30% of daily computer users live in temporary accommodation, social housing or are homeless.

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