Two libraries to extend opening hours

Library staff: Sue Saunders, Sue Flynn, Kayleigh Thompson and Tracey Kenna at Middleton Library, one of two libraries now opening at 9am

Middleton and Langley Libraries have extended their opening hours following customer feedback.

From Monday (4 October 2010), both libraries open their doors at 9am each weekday morning, half an hour earlier than previously, after library staff reported requests from parents and carers wanting to use the libraries after dropping their children at nearby schools.

Middleton libraries will be fully open at this time, whilst in Heywood, customers will be able to browse before the counter opens at 9.30am.

Principal Library Assistant Gayle Monks said: “We often have people waiting for the doors to open, so hopefully this small step will help to encourage new users and make it easier for people who visit us first thing in the morning.”

New flexible working hours between library staff mean the longer opening hours don’t cost more to implement and if they prove successful the idea could be introduced in other libraries.

The change is part of a staff ideas programme, encouraging staff to put ideas forward and to take responsibility for their implementation – developing themselves along the way.

Councillor Greg Couzens, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Management said he is delighted to see staff proactively changing their working patterns to meet customer demand “It’s a small step, but it means we can open longer without any increases in costs. Each week we will be getting the equivalent of an extra day of opening across the two libraries and I am delighted to see staff working amongst themselves to help put good ideas like this into action.”