Portobello Library Sunday opening – 2015/16 Council Budget Decision 

The following six libraries will no longer open on Sunday afternoons from 1 April- McDonald Road, Muirhouse, Newington, Oxgangs, Portobello and WesterHailes. This is a reduction of 4 hours per week in opening hours at these libraries.

The predominant users of libraries on Sunday afternoons are families, children and young people either attending events or using computers. Visit figures tend to be lower than on other days of the week.

Visitors to the 6 libraries currently open on Sunday afternoons totalled 101,000 for 2013/2014.

This accounts for 3% of total libraries footfall for the year.

The proposed changes to library opening hours are based on analysis of library usage and distance to alternative library access for communities during the week. Mitigating measures will include

promotion of the online 24/7 library service for renewal and reservation of library materials

All day Saturday opening in 20 libraries across the city

Move current Sunday events such as craft sessions to Saturdays or other parts of the week

Continue to support Portobello Book festival and other community events as needed

The comparison for Portobello showed as below that Sunday usage was significantly less than other days of the week.

See the attached briefing note for more details. 

Portobello Library