Libraries opening staff free amid review concerns

People in Devon can increasingly access libraries outside of normal opening hours and without any staff on site.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs libraries, is rolling out the new Open Plus technology that enables people to use their membership cards to get into the library without staff being there.

It is also currently carrying out a staff consultation that could see a reduction in the number of library supervisors - the charity said there was no connection between Open Plus and the consultation.

But after a huge row earlier in 2026 over the future of libraries some campaigners and councillors have called for Devon County Council to be involved in the staff consultation.

Libraries Unlimited runs all of the libraries in areas run by Devon County Council and Torbay Council, but not in the area run by Plymouth City Council.

Cullompton Library was the first to get the Open Plus technology, which is due to be introduced at 12 other libraries up until March 2027.

At Cullompton it means the library is open and staffed from 09:00 to 17:00 but people can also come into the library without staff present from 08:00 to 09:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.

Nilza Da Costa, the library supervisor, explained people need to be over-18, a library member and to have done a brief induction to use the Open Plus service.

They are then able to use their library card and a Pin code to get into the building, which is monitored by CCTV and has an emergency phone able to contact a security centre.

Users can then look at and take out books, use the printer, log on to a computer or play games.

The chief executive of Libraries Unlimited, Alex Kittow, said: "It means more people can use the library at more times.

"Essentially libraries are for everybody but not everybody uses them - so how can we remove those barriers?

"Opening hours are one of the big barriers, particularly for smaller libraries that don't have huge opening hours - this will radically transform that."

The staff consultation is understood to involve the loss of some library supervisor roles with staff able to apply for jobs managing wider areas.

The BBC asked Kittow if the Open Plus project was connected to the library staff consultation or if it was a way of reducing staff at libraries.

He responded: "The staffed opening hours are not going to change - our staff consultation isn't anything to do with the opening hours of the libraries.

"We're not reducing the time the library is open with our staff, rather we're extending the hours that people can use the library."

The library in Ottery was fiercely defended earlier in 2026 when it was on a list of libraries at risk of cuts in a money-saving plan.

More than 25,000 people across the county responded to a consultation with Devon County Council dropping its plans to cut opening hours.

Siân Smith, who is from the Friends of Ottery Library and was among those who campaigned to protect Ottery Library, believes there could be a connection between opening libraries without staff present and the staff consultation.

She said: "The cynical side of me thinks that yes, maybe there is a plan behind this."

Smith said: "We're really concerned they're going to remove the library supervisor role - they are the heart and soul of the library."

She said she feared any removal of library supervisors could lead to the end of services like baby-weighing and Bounce and Rhyme sessions for parents with young children.

Smith added: "If that happens people stop coming, our footfall gets lower, we become in danger of being closed ourselves."

Jess Bailey, Independent councillor for Otter Valley on Devon County Council, was also heavily involved in the previous fight to protect library services and cannot understand why county council members have not been allowed to scrutinise the new staffing plans.

Libraries are a statutory service - meaning the council is legally obliged to provide that service to the public.

Bailey said: "I'm really worried that what we're seeing is the potential hollowing out of the service - losing a key role in multiple libraries across the county is going to have a huge impact on the services that are delivered.

"People made it very clear that the staff who run the libraries are absolutely crucial and yet, less than six months later we're seeing big changes to staffing structures."

The outcome of the staff consultation is expected later in October.

When Devon County Council announced in May it was keeping staffed opening hours at libraries across the county, the cabinet member responsible for libraries, Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, said: "One of the clearest messages was how much people value librarians and the service they provide."

She added: "Our librarians are at the heart of the service. Their knowledge, support and dedication make our libraries trusted and welcoming places."

Cottle-Hunkin was not available for interview regarding the staff consultation.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said Libraries Unlimited "runs Devon's libraries on our behalf" and "as the employer it is responsible for those discussions and any decisions that follow".

The council said: "Our focus is making sure people across Devon continue to have a strong library service.

"That's why we've committed significant new investment in Devon's libraries. We want our libraries to offer more, reach more people, and make it easier for communities to access the services and support they provide."

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