IN A move that is expected to be good news for book-lovers, opening hours are to be extended in many of the 45 libraries across North Yorkshire.
More than 20 libraries are to have their Saturday opening hours extended from July 1, with the hours in the remainder to be reviewed later this year.
The review follows a recent Audit Commission report which was critical of library services at a national level.
North Yorkshire County Council's executive member with responsibility for libraries, John Dennis, said: "We are determined to improve the service for current users and hopefully encourage new and lapsed users to subscribe. We intend to not only improve facilities, but to make North Yorkshire County Council's libraries the key to accessing a range of services in the communities they serve."
The authority has already provided an extra £300,000 to help improve libraries and hopes to commit a similar amount each year for the next three years.
In addition £1.1m of Government funding will provide another 350 computers in libraries for use by the public.
* The libraries set to extend their opening hours are: Bedale, Colburn, Crosshills, Easingwold, Filey, Harrogate, Helmsley, Leyburn, Northallerton, Norton, Pickering, Richmond, Ripon, Scalby, Scarborough, Settle, Skipton, Starbeck, Stokesley, Thirsk and Whitby.
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