New library opening hours come into force next week as Largs Library now only opens late on a Tuesday every week.

A brand new timetable will take effect next Wednesday (1 June) with less evening openings for most local libraries.

The revised library opening hours programme has come to fruition following a wide-ranging consultation exercise held late last year, as local residents shared their views on opening times.

The extensive public consultation – which was staged over two months and included 13 public meetings – saw more than 1,000 responses submitted.

Following this feedback, a revised proposal for public library opening hours was developed and subsequently approved by the council’s cabinet in March this year.

This new timetable comes into force next week and the council is encouraging local residents to familiarise themselves with the changes.

All libraries provide guaranteed free access to computers and related support.

Council Leader Willie Gibson said: “We provide a high-quality, award-winning library service to our residents and we’re extremely grateful that this was recognised through the consultation phase.

“Library users made it clear that they understand the economic challenges the council faces and were keen to work in partnership with us to ensure that library services meet the needs of our communities.”

North Ayrshire Council operates 17 libraries and the public consultation showed that there was a keenly-felt need for all libraries to remain open and ensure accessible provision in each community.

The new hours are as follows:West Kilbride- Monday and Tuesday 10am-1pm & 2-5pm, Thursday 2-7pm, Friday 10am-1pm & 2-4.30pm Saturday 10am-12.30pm

Fairlie - Tuesday 2-7pm, Friday 10am-2pm

Largs - Monday, Thursday & Friday 9am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-7pm, Wednesday 9.30am-12.30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm

Skelmorlie - Tuesday 10am-2pm, Thursday 10.30am-4pm, Friday 1pm-6.30pm

Millport – no change to existing opening hours.