Sugar Grove library to expand hours next year
Sugar Grove library trustees have voted to expand library hours from 41 hours a week to 50 hours a week, including Sundays.
“It’s huge,” library Director Carol Dolin said. “We have a beautiful facility which is of no use to people if it’s not open. That’s our primary reason for doing this. It’s going to be difficult.”
Effective Jan. 2, the library at 125 S. Municipal Place will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. It will be closed on Fridays and the drive-up window for holds will be open from 7 to 10 a.m. Mondays.
The current library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed Sunday and Monday.
The expanded hours, which were unanimously approved by the board Thursday night, represent a nearly 22 percent increase in the time the library is open.
Dolin said the expanded hours will be evaluated in June to see if they align with the $569,880 spent each year to staff and maintain the library and provide materials.
Dolin said library officials renegotiated maintenance contracts and are using more technology to help make the expanded hours possible. The library asked for input through a community survey, and out of 213 respondents, 80 percent favored this new schedule and overall, patrons wanted Saturday afternoon and Sunday hours, more consistent hours and at least one day where the library is open early and one night where it is open late.
Dolin said officials were unable to work in a late night in the new schedule, but hope having the drive-up window open on Mondays will help.
“The staff has been really supportive in suggesting better ways to serve the public while trying to stay within budget,” Dolin said. “We would really like to be open every day with longer hours.”
Library board President Joan Roth could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sugar Grove voters have rejected numerous ballot questions seeking to increase the amount of tax money each year used to maintain and staff the facility.