Evington Library: staffed hours set to reduce from Autumn 2026

 What we know so far

Staff at Evington Library are informing residents that there will be cuts to staffed opening times from Autumn 2026.

Current staffed opening times (until the end of August 2026)

(As agreed following the 2025 consultation)

Proposed staffed opening times (from Autumn 2026)

What this change means: staff have indicated this is a reduction of 18 staffed hours per week at Evington Library. They also say Knighton Library will see the same reduction.

Leicester City Council backs new model for libraries and community centres

Leicester City Council has approved plans to reshape how libraries and community centres are provided across the city. The council says the new approach will continue to meet legal duties while helping deliver savings already included in its 2025/26 budget.

A key decision on the “Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres” was taken by the Assistant City Mayor for Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres on 11 March 2026. The decision was published on 3 March 2026 and took effect from 19 March 2026.

Decision challenged — then backed by full Council

The decision was formally called in under the council’s constitution by a group of councillors led by Councillor Patrick Kitterick, triggering further scrutiny. The call-in was considered by Leicester City Council at its meeting on 26 March 2026, where the decision was supported. Under the council’s rules, this meant the original 11 March 2026 decision was revived in full and could proceed.

In their call-in statement, councillors raised concerns including:

• the loss of St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres
• the possible loss of the Gilmorton Community Rooms
• reduced opening hours for Evington and Knighton libraries
• proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre
• what they described as steep increases in charges and income targets, which they warned could affect affordability
• a reduction in the book fund

The councillors also argued the council should consider using reserves to avoid reductions.

What was approved

The Assistant City Mayor’s decision included five headline points:

1. To note work completed to date.
2. To agree the new delivery model and move into implementation (as set out in the Executive Decision report, recommendations 4.13 to 4.36).
3. To recognise that the planned level of provision is considered to meet the council’s statutory library duties.
4. To note the extent to which proposals support the council’s savings requirements in the 2025/26 revenue budget.
5. To release £1 million immediately for building alterations and improvements, and to note a further £1 million in the capital programme to support this work.

What we know / What we don’t know yet (Evington Library)

What we know

• Staff at Evington Library are telling residents that staffed hours will reduce from Autumn 2026.
• The proposed new pattern includes Evington Library being closed on Fridays and shorter staffed hours on several weekdays.
• Staff have indicated the reduction is 18 staffed hours per week, and that Knighton Library will face the same reduction.
• The council approved a citywide model for libraries and community centres on 11 March 2026, and it was supported by full Council on 26 March 2026 after a call-in.
• The council says the model is intended to meet statutory obligations while contributing to 2025/26 budget savings, and it has approved up to £2m in capital funding for building improvements.

What we don’t know yet

• The exact start date in Autumn 2026 (and whether changes happen all at once or in phases).
• Whether “staffed hours” reductions also mean changes to:
  • unstaffed access (if any is planned), or
  • which services will be available at different times (e.g., printing, IT help, children’s activities).
• The council’s published rationale for the Evington hours pattern specifically (e.g., footfall analysis, staffing model, equality impacts).
• Whether there will be any service mitigation, such as additional outreach, alternative provision nearby, or changes to mobile/library services.
• How the council will measure and report the impact on:
  • older residents,
  • disabled residents,
  • families/children,
  • residents without home internet access.

Questions for Leicester City Council (for a right-of-reply)

1. When exactly will the new staffed opening hours at Evington Library begin (date), and will there be a transition period?
2. Can the council confirm the weekly staffed hours before and after the change, and confirm the 18-hour reduction figure?
3. Why is Evington proposed to be closed on Fridays—what alternatives were assessed?
4. What are the expected impacts on:
   • children’s and school-related use,
   • older residents,
   • residents who rely on staff support for IT/forms/benefits?
5. Will any form of unstaffed access be introduced at Evington or nearby libraries—and if so, what safeguards and support will be in place?
6. Will there be changes to activities and support services (e.g., rhyme time, reading groups, job support, ESOL support), and which will remain?
7. How does the council conclude the new provision meets its statutory library duties, and what evidence was used?
8. What savings is the council expecting specifically from the changes at Evington and Knighton, and where will those savings appear in the budget?
9. The decision references £1m released immediately and a further £1m available for building works. Which buildings will benefit, and will Evington Library receive any of that investment?
10. Will the council commit to publishing a post-implementation review (e.g., after 6 and 12 months) including usage, complaints, equality impacts and any further changes?