Before making any decisions about expanding our hours at central we asked our users to help up by answering a few questions about when you find it most convenient to visit our libraries.  Almost 400 people responded to our questions as well as the request for suggestions on improving library services.   

 

Two statements were made over and over again.  The central library needed to be open more hours because the smaller Fairmont branch could not handle the current demands.  Branch was crowded, noisy and computers were overloaded.  Library services needed to be available after 6 PM because users who worked to 5 PM or their children were in school until 4 PM needed library access.

 

These two concerns have been considered while planning the new schedule.  We have expanded the Central Library's hours with its 60 plus public computers, larger collections, four study rooms, teen room and larger public spaces to seven days and two nights a week.  We have increased the hours from 44 hours per week to 58 hours per week.