LIBRARY costs continue to be too high despite falling by more than a fifth, according to a report going to councillors next week.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s corporate services committee will be told how the number of visits have increased but the cost to taxpayers is below their goal.

The report states the cost per library visit “failed to meet its ambitious target” but cost has continued to reduce in the past year.

Earlier this year, council bosses slashed library hours, arguing the area’s centres were some of the most expensive in the country according to staff costs.

They have increased mobile library services to the poorest areas as well as investing £421,000 across all libraries in West Dunbartonshire, on top of funds for upgrading Clydebank Library.

There were 1,510.75 visits to libraries per 1,000 people in West Dunbartonshire in the second quarter of the year, up from 1,326. The target is 1,745 visits.

The target cost per visit is £1.91 and earlier this year it stood at £2.86. There was no updated figure for the second quarter of 2018/2019.

In a report to councillors, it states: “In Q1 cost per library visit failed to meet its ambitious target, however, cost has continued to reduce over the last year representing a reduction in cost per visit of 22 per cent from the same period in 2017/18.”

Meanwhile, satisfaction with libraries in the second quarter of this year, according to a survey by the council, sat at 96 per cent, an increase of four per cent from the same period a year ago.

Clydebank Library is nearly finished the first phase of its refurbishment and phase two will start within three months. The council continues to look for external funding for “cultural improvements”.

Alongside the cut in hours, £181,000 was being invested in movable shelving for Duntocher, Parkhall and Faifley libraries. Those libraries went from being open 25.5, 30 and 37 hours a week, respectively, to just 17.5, 18.5 and 15.5 hours.

Clydebank Library’s hours dropped from 57 a week to 42.5 and Dalmuir lost half an hour a week down to 40 hours.

The committee meets November 21 in Dumbarton.