Libraries ready to open on Sundays

The move comes as attendances fall drastically, mainly because of limited book stocks in the previously under-funded service.

Head of Bradford Council's libraries, archives and information service, Ian Watson, said: "It wouldn't be every single library. Experience in other areas has shown that the most successful are those which are close to other leisure services. They attract visitors to each other."

Shipley is expected to be among libraries chosen for the change, following a successful pilot project.

Mr Watson said there would be widespread consultation over an action plan - including Sunday opening - to improve the libraries.

Children would be involved in the design of their sections, in libraries where buildings were suitable, he added.

Borrowing fell by 53 per cent in the district's libraries between 1992 and March last year, compared with a 25 per cent drop nationally. In the year up to March last year 1.9 million books were borrowed, including 370,000 at the central library.

The previous year 2.24 million books went out, with 437,000 from the central library.

Issues from mobile libraries fell by 12 per cent in 2001 to 2002 but the decline slowed to 2.7 per cent in the year ending last March.

The district has 30 area libraries - including West Bowling which is currently closed - three mobile libraries and a service for house-bound people.

There are 284 staff and the service has frequently spent out of the book fund to balance the annual budget.

But the use of information technology has tripled in the past three years and there are currently 20,000 users every month.

Other proposals in the action plan include later opening hours where feasible and changes to subscriptions between January and March next year.

Executive member for the environment, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: "The service has been traditionally under-funded for very many years and extra money has been allowed in the budget to improve it."