A petition to reduce the working hours at a Buckinghamshire library has nearly reached 1,200 signatures.

The campaign began in July this year after Buckinghamshire Council announced plans to increase the opening hours of libraries in the area, but decrease the working hours for members of staff.

Dubbed ‘Library Flex’, the notion will impact venues in Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Chesham, Hazlemere, Marlow and Princes Risborough, with the aim being to save the council around £500,000 per year.

However, the idea has been widely lambasted by those in their respective communities, with many urging the council to reconsider, due to the fears to could impact the incoming of paid members of staff.

Following the proposal, those in Amersham have begun petition to thwart the idea from being passed.

It quickly gained over 500 signatures in a few days, and at the time of writing, it is touching 1,200.

Karen Keen and Jane Barnes from the Amersham Action Group, who are aiming to stop the plan, said: “Nearly every person we spoke to opposes this new Library Flex system.

“We know how strongly people feel about their libraries and we want the opportunity to share this information with a Council and Councillors who are elected to represent the best interests of their constituents."

The list of concerns is as follows:

  • Children under 16 will not be able to use this service unless accompanied by an adult. 
  • The library already has self-service machines, which many people require help to use. 
  • This is not just reducing library services time; it is reducing even further the Council Access Point services.
  • This discriminates against people who are not computer literate.
  • Losing the face-to-face contact with library staff, who can help when a computer cannot and who may give up coming to the library as a consequence.
  • Security and safety of the building and its contents. People may be able to tailgate official users of the scheme into the library, and it should not be up to these users to challenge people as to whether they are allowed to be there. 
  • Limiting access to Librarians advice to so many groups of people: the young, elderly and vulnerable.
  • Greater responsibility for groups using the library when there is no staff member available, this may lead to reduced usage.
  • The consultation is designed not to ask whether it should happen but only on how it should it happen, making it harder for residents to object.

To sign the petition, go to https://www.change.org/p/stop-bucks-council-reducing-staffed-opening-hours-at-amersham-library-we-demand-a-say.