Conservative Hampshire County Council is not closing Libraries but developing the them into community hubs and this strategy is underpinned by investment in Hampshire's library services.
Currently 50% of our 48 libraries already have self-service facilities and, over the next 12 months, Hampshire Conservatives are planning to invest and install self-service technology in all our libraries, as part of a modernisation programme.
We are also looking at the possibility of developing an Open Library Programme whereby we use digital technology to extend library opening hours, without the associated staffing costs. Our customers will be able to use their local library when our staff aren’t there.
These initiatives are designed to encourage Hampshire's residents to use their libraries more, at times that best suit our current and future library customers. At the same time Hampshire Conservatives are making sure that we spend Hampshire taxpayers' money cost effectively.
Currently 50% of our 48 libraries already have self-service facilities and, over the next 12 months, Hampshire Conservatives are planning to invest and install self-service technology in all our libraries, as part of a modernisation programme.
We are also looking at the possibility of developing an Open Library Programme whereby we use digital technology to extend library opening hours, without the associated staffing costs. Our customers will be able to use their local library when our staff aren’t there.
These initiatives are designed to encourage Hampshire's residents to use their libraries more, at times that best suit our current and future library customers. At the same time Hampshire Conservatives are making sure that we spend Hampshire taxpayers' money cost effectively.