Bulwell library is reducing its hours in a bid to stop youngsters causing trouble

Police were called to the library in the Riverside Centre on Monday, February 22, after reports of anti-social behaviour from a 20-strong gang of youths began.

Nottinghamshire police said they were called at 6.30pm and the youngsters had all moved on or been moved on by officers by about 7.20pm.

Councillor David Trimble, of Nottingham City Council, said: “Over the winter months, library staff at Bulwell Riverside Centre experienced some issues with young people congregating inside the building in evenings and on occasion causing anti-social behaviour.

“This led to complaints from other service users at the library.

“A decision was made to temporarily reduce the opening hours of the library at Bulwell Riverside Centre from Saturday, March 5.”

The reduced hours are: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm (instead of 8am to 8pm) and Saturdays 8am to 1pm (instead of 8am to 4pm).

Coun Trimble said: “During the period that these temporarily reduced opening hours are in force, colleagues from Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham City Council and Community Protection are working together to address the situation and arrange alternative activities for young people in the area.”

Normal hours should be reinstated at the start of May, after the bank holiday.

Hucknall Library in South Street, Hucknall, is also currently closed until June 27, for major repairs.

A small temporary library located in the John Godber Centre in Ogle Street, Hucknall, has been opened during the closure.

This library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 4pm. This is a reduced library service with no IT access.