New Library Hours Beginning July 1, 2010

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by Denton56

They should make the hours more user friendly. Who can go at 10:00 am? Most people work, and kids are in school. They should open the libraries 1:00 to 9:00 or 2:00 to 10:00pm rather than 10:00 to 6:00. Are those hours for the librarians or the users? Few people can get home and get to the library by 6:00!

That was the problem last year in Fairfax County. They closed at 8:00 pm three nights a week and 6:00 pm the other two. No one could hold an evening meeting at the libraries because you can't start until 7:00 or 7:30 pm due to people's commutes. Students with after-school jobs or athletics or extracurriculars had little time to get to the library. This year the library board finally developed brains, apparently, and will be closing two mornings a week in order to be open until 9:00 two evenings a week.

[mlv311]

Originally Posted by Denton56

They should make the hours more user friendly. Who can go at 10:00 am? Most people work, and kids are in school. They should open the libraries 1:00 to 9:00 or 2:00 to 10:00pm rather than 10:00 to 6:00. Are those hours for the librarians or the users? Few people can get home and get to the library by 6:00!

I'm a SAHM with small children (not in school yet) and go to the libraries (I have 3 options close to home) on weekday mornings at least once or twice per week. There are always a lot of people there: moms with kids, senior citizens, college students, etc. When the libraries hold programs for children, they are in good attendance and sometimes those who didn't pre-register can't get in. Also, moms groups and other social groups meet at the library on weekday mornings.

[Phoenix2017]

Originally Posted by Denton56

They should make the hours more user friendly. Who can go at 10:00 am? Most people work, and kids are in school. They should open the libraries 1:00 to 9:00 or 2:00 to 10:00pm rather than 10:00 to 6:00. Are those hours for the librarians or the users? Few people can get home and get to the library by 6:00!

Totally agreed!

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by mlv311

I'm a SAHM with small children (not in school yet) and go to the libraries (I have 3 options close to home) on weekday mornings at least once or twice per week. There are always a lot of people there: moms with kids, senior citizens, college students, etc. When the libraries hold programs for children, they are in good attendance and sometimes those who didn't pre-register can't get in. Also, moms groups and other social groups meet at the library on weekday mornings.

That's why it's a good balance now -- different times for different people's needs. I go at least once a week, sometimes more, at all different times, and there are different mixes of people there. I thought it was very unfair last year when people who could come in the daytime (myself included) had full access but those who needed later hours were seriously limited. My son for example goes straight from school to his job and gets home at 7:00 or a little after. If he needed to get to the library he would have to miss dinner since they were closing at 8:00.

[car54]

Originally Posted by Denton56

They should make the hours more user friendly. Who can go at 10:00 am? Most people work, and kids are in school....

The only way to be friendly to all users is to be open 24/7/365. We've already heard testimony that plenty of people use the libraries in the morning.

I say give the librarians a break...don't keep them out til 11:00 pm at night. Many have already lost their jobs, and I believe the rest will when the system is shut down.

The good news for the night owls is: Barnes and Noble is open 7 days a week to at least 9:00 pm...and 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday!

[mlv311]

Originally Posted by car54

I say give the librarians a break...don't keep them out til 11:00 pm at night. Many have already lost their jobs, and I believe the rest will when the system is shut down.

And that is exactly what is happening. I was talking to a librarian who didn't "lose" her job, but she had to take a reassignment to a regional library so now she won't be home with her kids on several nights per week given the new hours. Of course, she had to make alternative arrangements for their care.

[Caladium]

I use the library a lot, so I hate seeing cuts. But, having said that, I think these cuts aren't that bad. At least we still have daily service. Compared to the cuts other cities are seeing, our cuts are mild indeed.