A popular group for parents and babies faces an uncertain future if changes to library opening times come into force in Preston.

Ingol library may close on a Wednesday, instead of a Tuesday, leaving the weekly bounce and rhyme session without a venue.

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Shirley Jones, 60, attends the session with her two grandsons.

she said: “If they go ahead it will bring an end to this very popular and well attended group.

“We want to make them aware that this will be a serious loss to the local community.

“The group is very welcoming and supports parents and carers looking after young children.

“More importantly it helps develop the children’s social and language skills and introduces them at a very young age to the benefits of libraries.”

Ms Jones said more than 20 people were regularly attending the bounce and rhyme session.

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Lancashire County Council ran a consultation last year asking library users for their views.

In March this year the council’s cabinet approved the change in opening hours, and Ingol’s day was being moved to ensure a craft session which uses the building on a Tuesday could continue.

Ms Jones said the consultation was undertaken before many of the parents who now use the bounce and rhyme group had begun going to it – due to their children recently being born.

She says she has written to her local city and county councillors about the proposed change in the day when the library will be closed as well as head of Lancashire libraries Julie Bell.

What the county council had to say

A spokeswoman for the county council said: ” I can confirm that the Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions will continue at Ingol Library. We are asking our customers when they would prefer this session to take place, and we’ll then run it at the most popular time.

“This approach will apply across all libraries where there has been some change to the opening hours. Activities will simply take place at the most convenient time for those using them, when the library is open.”

What are the new opening hours being proposed?

The proposed new opening hours for Ingol library are due to kick in from 1 July.

These are the proposed new opening hours for Ingol library
Monday 9am-7pm
Tuesday 9am-5pm
Wednesday Close
Thursday 9am-1pm
Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-1pm

What do you think about the bounce and rhyme group and the new opening hours? Let us know in the comments below