Dorset Council's new library strategy, which will see Dorchester Library's opening hours cut by three hours a week, has been approved by Cabinet.

The council says the strategy provides a framework to support and develop the council's library service with a fresh approach to delivering services with no proposed branch closures.

Shaped by 12,000 responses from two extensive public consultations, feedback gathered in engagement workshops and data on local need, the strategy "looks to the future of Dorset's libraries and how they can meet the needs of residents and communities over the next 10 years".

The new library strategy includes a new operating model, with core services available at all libraries. The new operating model will see the council's 23 libraries split into three tiers – Library, Library Plus or Library Connect.

The preferred model in Dorchester is to class the facility as a Library Connect, having been identified as having a relatively high level of community need.

A Library Connect has been described as "a library hub which delivers an enhanced core library offer including co-located partner services".

Opening hours across each type of library will be standardised, which could see Dorchester's opening hours reduced from 45 to 42.

Library Plus and Library Connects will offer additional services and will open for more hours per week.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for Culture and Communities, said: "We are delighted that our new library strategy has been approved, with councillors giving great feedback on our vision for the future of our library service.

"It is an ambitious strategy informed by the views of residents and by customer need that will not result in any closures, instead enhancing Dorset's libraries for the future.

"Residents have made it perfectly clear that libraries are at the heart of their communities and this strategy really reflects that.

"The conversation doesn't end here. We will continue to work with our communities and listen to their views on our strategy."

Now that the library strategy has been approved by Cabinet, barring an unlikely objection from full council, work will begin to implement the new library strategy and the action plan.

The new operating model and changes to opening hours will come into effect from April 2024.