ELEVEN hours per week could be lost from local library open hours, according to a Libraries NI consultation.

Due to budget cuts, Fermanagh’s four libraries must cut their hours in autumn 2015.

In November, Enniskillen library lost six hours per week at short notice when Libraries NI was required to make in-year savings.

The body must now “regularise opening hours to ensure equity.” A public consultation on the proposed revised opening hours will take place from 18 February 2015 to 17 April 2015.

The consultation report suggests that Enniskillen Library opens 50 hours per week (as opposed to 57 hours); Fivemiletown Library stays as it is with 18 hours per week; and Irvinestown and Lisnaskea open 28 hours per week (as opposed to 30).

A spokesman from Libraries NI states: “The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure has provided a measure of protection to the library sector in the Draft Budget 2015/16 which means there will be no library closures but opening hours in a number of libraries may be reduced or will operate with a different pattern.” Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, said: “The Draft Budget for 2015/16 requires Libraries NI to save 7.5 per cent which equates to £2.385 million. No libraries will close as a result of these savings. The temporary opening hours will continue to apply until the new hours are introduced in the autumn.

“Reducing opening hours is very difficult for our customers and our staff and the Board of Libraries NI deeply regrets having to take this course of action. We will consult openly with people during this process and we are inviting people to engage with us regarding the policy and proposals. In all of our actions we want to be fair to customers, to libraries and to our staff.” Public consultation on the policy and proposals will commence on 18 February and close on 17 April 2015. Survey questionnaires will be available in libraries and on the Libraries NI website – www.librariesni.org.uk.

Once the Board of Libraries NI has taken its decision on the way forward, there will be a further period of local engagement with customers in every library regarding the actual pattern of opening hours.