More than three quarters of the borough’s libraries are to have their opening hours cut.
Hampshire County Council is set to change opening and closing times of five of the borough's seven libraries in a bid to save cash.
Basingstoke Discovery Centre and libraries in Chineham, Tadley, South Ham, and Whitchurch will be affected. Hampshire culture chief, Councillor Keith Chapman, is set to approve the change on January 20.
The move follows a a three-month consultation last year which received 576 responses from borough users. Cllr Chapman said the reductions were a last option as the council looks to shave off £446,000 from the department’s budget.
It is a tough decision to reduce hours,” he said, "but after two years of modernising the service, this was our last option. Although we were not able to meet everyone’s requests, we have hopefully met the majority.”
Whitchurch Library, at the Gill Nethercott Centre on Winchester Road, will be hit hardest, opening 20 hours a week rather than the current 26-and-a-half.
It was originally planned to scrap its 7pm closing on Wednesday and close at 5pm. Revised plans will keep the late service, but open the library later from 1pm on Monday and Wednesday, and 10am on Saturday.
Kingsclere, Overton, and Odiham libraries in Hart will have no changes to their hours.
