'It's going to affect thousands': Stockport library cuts 'deeply concerning'

Concerns have been raised over cuts to staffed library hours in Stockport.Opposition councillors have told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they are worried about the impact it could have on residents and children.

Signs appeared on libraries in the borough in June advertising the new timetable - part of the ongoing roll out of the Open+ unstaffed library hours. Open+ allows residents to use a number of library services without staff being around, including borrowing and returning books, picking up reservations, and using computers to access the internet.

But printing, photocopying, and access to face-to-face information is only available during staffed hours.

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Stockport council was asked for a full breakdown of the new staffed hours and how this has changed for each library, but it has not provided one, citing restrictions due to the pre-election period. Reddish North councillor Rachel Wise said the changes to staffed hours at Reddish Library would stop children visiting the facility after school.

According to a sign at Reddish library, staff will not be around after 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, after 6pm on Wednesday, and after 2pm on Saturday. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday are unstaffed all day.

Ms Wise said "I am deeply concerned that Reddish has experienced the biggest loss in staffed hours in the borough.

"Our skilled and compassionate librarians help people with a huge variety of queries everyday, from using online forms to searching for cheaper utility bills. Removing their expertise in areas like Reddish and Brinnington, where digital confidence is low, will have a profoundly negative effect on people's ability to