Hampshire Library service downgraded

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Jul 2008

The Hampshire Library service has lost one of its stars being downgraded from a two-star rating to a one star. The service failed to meet targets for library opening hours, visits per 1000 population, number of computers and new book buying. However those in charge of the county library service chose to dismiss the service standards as out of date and not properly reflecting the performance of modern public library services. Cllr Robin Hughes, County Councillor for Andover North said, "I am not surprised, last year the Tories reduced the professional library staff by a quarter. Invested the least amount in book stocks per head of population of any English county and experienced the largest decline in book lending." "Despite spending a additional £350,000 this year on books they still fell short of the target for new additions this year". "Rather than being dismissive of the Audit commission ratings they should accept that the library service could be better and do something about it".