LIBRARIES across South Lakeland are to have shortened opening hours, Cumbria County Council has announced.

The reductions will see opening times decrease by 38.5 hours across six libraries, including Ambleside, Grange, Kendal, Milnthorpe, Ulverston and Windermere.

The CCC decision followed a public consultation over the times when people considered it most important that the libraries remain open.

Kendal Library will face the greatest reduction in opening hours with a decrease of 9.5 hours which will see the library closed on Sundays.

However, in recent weeks, this has been the case anyway due to a shortage of staff.

Cllr Peter Thornton said: "Library use has changed. When I was a kid in Kendal it was never open on Sundays.

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"The closures are not driven by cuts but by a need for value for money. Ten years ago before kindle and the iPad people used to get books from libraries but now they often go for different things like the internet.

"The really huge thing here is that the libraries are staying open. Many councils are closing libraries but we said: 'No, they have to stay open.' We are not prepared to just shut them.

"I have been using Kendal Library for the past 60 years. It has been a valuable part of my life and I am really pleased that there is no threat to it."

Cllr Ian Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, said: "Following the local committee meeting yesterday the new opening hours have been agreed.

"I'd like to thank the members of the public who responded to the consultations and especially those who pointed out a better opening schedule for Ulverston, which council members have taken on board.

"No-one likes to see a service reduction, and we've ensured that no community loses their library service, and we believe that we are now able to offer a service which meets the needs of the vast majority of people in South Lakeland."

Full details of the new opening hours for every library in the county can be found on the Cumbria County Council website.