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Trial could see Bristol libraries open on Sundays
Some libraries in Bristol could soon open on Sundays in a bid to get more people borrowing books.
Libraries could also open in the evenings more often, after fears that their current limited opening hours puts people off from using the many different library services.
Only one in seven people in Bristol actively use a library at the moment.
While the recent crisis of unplanned closures now appears to be over, many of the 27 libraries across the city do not have long opening hours.
Marksbury Road Library is open just three days a week – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol City Council is hoping to get more people using the library service.
As well as borrowing books, people can read e-magazines and listen to audiobooks for free.
Part of an upcoming new library strategy includes exploring whether opening hours can be extended.
The outline strategy was approved by the public health and communities policy committee on Friday.
Liberal Democrat councillor for Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze Stephen Williams, chair of the committee, said: “For our most popular libraries, could we open on a trial basis on a Sunday and see how that goes as to whether even more people come through the doors? There’s definitely a lot of work to do on the hours and the offer.”
Central Library was designed by Charles Holden and completed in 1906 – photo: Karen Johnson
Green councillor for Eastville Ed Fraser added: “One of the key problems that our library service has faced over the last decade and a half is what’s been termed zombie opening hours. Some of them are open for 20 hours a week, or fewer.
“We know how that can be really off-putting for a lot of potential users, because the hours can be so inconsistent, people don’t necessarily know that their local library is open when they need it to be.
“I’d like us to get closer to that point where residents have reliable knowledge about when they can go to their local library.”
As well as a trial for opening on Sundays, volunteers could run more events in libraries, to make the most of the buildings outside of library opening hours.
The council will soon ask members of the public about what would get them using libraries more often, ahead of the new library strategy being approved in May 2026.
Bishopston Library, on Gloucester Road, opened in 2017. Other recent closures include Trinity Road Library and Muller Road Library, while Junction 3 Library was recently opened in Easton.
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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