Hypothetical question for those who use the library a lot.

[pyrxtc]

we already have very short hours at ours --

Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs - 12-5
Mon - 12-8
Sat - 10-2
Closed on Fri.

 

[Pigeon]

My town has gone to cutting hours, and it is a major PIA for us. I'd be happy to pay a little more to fund the library adequately.

 

[nuke]

Our local library is only open on Sundays from Labor Day to Memorial Day. On Saturday mornings there are always people waiting for the doors to open. I'm amazed at the amount of people that are in the library during the day.

But to answer your question it wouldn't effect me if the library was closed one day during the week. I would just use it a different day.

 

[ldymcbth]

Ours have cut days, too. I think it has the biggest effect on folks who have no other means of computer/internet access and need to job hunt, etc. They've also cut back on lots of programs that we used to use - storytimes and craft times and stuff like that. It's really sad to me - we love the library and I hate to see this happening.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

I believe I'm in the same city as you. Okay now here's my soapbox.

I'm okay with the reduction in hours, but I wish that there was a solution of the real problem which is the property tax situation. I'm also very worried about our schools - because they are dealing with the exact same issue with the property tax changes. The money just isn't there anymore and both groups have cut to the bare bones as it is.

People did lose their jobs and others had to move to a different branch. Our favorite librarian had to go to a branch across town from us, even though they moved to our side of the city for her job alone. She's just happy to have a job at this point. Everyone had their hours reduced as well. They took the hours down to one shift per day instead of two. You'll see more cuts over the year - less programming, longer times on the hold list, longer transit times for requests.

I would have preferred that they close the branches that were suggested to close the budget gap. I understand that this is a complete "Not in my backyard" situation since it was not my library and I have the ability to drive to whatever library I want to visit. It was a lose lose situation. I really wish that they didn't have to do layoffs.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Our libraries are open 7 days a week during the school year but are closed on Sundays during the summer. This can be inconvenient at times but I would much prefer this than having someone lose their job or have one of the branches close completely.

I kinda like the idea of each library having a different day when they are closed so there is always a library open. Might have to suggest this the next time I am asked my opinion on how they are running things.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The libraries in my county have changed hours and the days they are open so much that I have no idea when they are open anymore.

I quit using them 4 months ago when they became a meeting place for noisy teens who were allowed to eat and drink in the library.

I also borrowed a couple of books with gross stains which got me thinking, How many people read these books in the bathroom? or while eating. Gross.

I'll buy our books from now on. I'm glad I have a kindle!

 

[CdnCarrie]

I live in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, NC) and we were facing a major library crisis. They were talking about closing down ALL the branches except 2. People were outraged! They reduced hours for a while, and then started a huge volunteer drive. The volunteer drive has been a huge success! Our library branch alone has acquired over 90 new volunteers. Due to the huge outpouring of support we were able to reopen on Mondays, one of the days that had been closed due to budget cuts.

I am a library volunteer and enjoy it. It's 2 hours a week and I like knowing I am supporting a cause I believe in.

I encourage people to look into volunteering at your local library to show your support.

City union won't allow volunteers in our local library. Takes away work from the union employees.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I can't imagine what would happen if our local library were closed one week day a week.

Any day I go into the library after the HS and JRHS let out there are many students, still in school uniforms, clustered around computers, taking up all the computers reserved for kids after 3PM and a bunch of the adult computers, doing school work and projects, chatting on the internet, reading their e-mail etc. I've seen the schoolbus - it pulls into the parking lot and makes a "library stop" so kids can get off there and have their parents pick them up later. (Before someone gets up in arms, these are at least 6th graders. They're not being babysat. They need to use the library for homework and internet: I've never seen a librarian babysit these kids to any extent more than they would babysit unruly adults.)

Honestly, for some advanced classes, I don't see how a student in our school system could pass the class without having access to a computer and the internet. Students have thumbdrives to turn in their homework and save things they were working on in class to take home with them. Poorer students NEED afternoon access to the library. (We have something like 35% free lunches, so although we're the #1 school district in the state, we are NOT a wealthy district.) It's not a want-to. I guess if the library were closed, the school would have to shift around and provide the kids with afternoon access, but thankfully, right now, it's not a problem.

 

[littlezar]

some dvds have waiting lists for years it seems and i get peeved when i see people walking out with 50 dvds and 30 books a week and i have to wait a month to get a book.

Curious what other libraries rules, fines, etc are. Our hours changed this year and our fees just went up this past summer but I still find everything very reasonable. We can search the catalog, reserve materials and specify which branch to pick up in online.

We can check out up to 30 items at once.
Any combo of items - books, books on cd, dvds, music cds, etc.
DVDs are 7 day loan. Everything else is 21 days.
Overdue fines: 25 cents per day, per item, maximum $10 per item.
Cassettes or CD's returned in non-AV book drop: $1 per item
Lost/Stolen/Damaged Books & Materials: current replacement cost plus $5 processing fee
Replacement library card: $1
Hold Item Not Picked Up: $1 per item, assessed only on materials placed on hold and not picked up from the library

 

[seashoreCM]

A public library should be open some evenings and on weekends.

A public library should be able to be closed on some weekdays.

It is a sad state of affairs if students have to go on the internet for long hours in order to do their assignments. Whatever happened to regular teaching?

It is an equally good learning experience to do research in books and writing term papers using that information even if the information is not as up to date as what can be found on line.

So some borrowers often take home 20 to 30 DVD's a week? Who has time to watch all of them?

Maybe there should be more time in the afternoon for students to use computers at school so the computers in the library aren't booked solid.

And teachers should accept work handed in with last minute hand written corrections, as opposed to students without their own computers having to go back and reserve another time slot on the library computer and print another corrected copy.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm