During the pandemic, libraries closed their doors like many other businesses and public facilities.

Whilst pubs, restaurants, shops throughout our high street have re-opened, Libraries in Wiltshire are still operating reduced hours.

Many other local authorities are operating libraries at or close to normal hours but in North Wiltshire, libraries are open from between 25% to 60% of normal pre-Covid hours.

Why does this matter? Libraries are important cornerstones of a healthy community; it is not just a place to borrow books but a vital community hub where everyone has access to programmes and services that fuel lifelong learning.

Children have already missed out on so much education this year, re-opening libraries to full capacity will provide them an opportunity to catch up during the summer holidays.

Furthermore, Universal credit applications are now exclusively online, as are most job advertisements. In these precarious times, it’s more important than ever that people are not excluded or left behind due to lack of internet access at home.

We are concerned that by failing to re-open already, Wiltshire Council are introducing library cuts through the back door, which must be resisted. We call on Wiltshire Council to return our libraries to normal services and opening hours as soon as possible and to provide assurance that there will be no long-term reductions in hours.