Renew The Library

ALICIA ROBINSON, August 24, 2009

Riverside library hours will decrease

All but one of Riverside's seven existing libraries will reduce operating hours starting Sept. 4 as library officials grapple with a shrinking budget and a growing network of facilities.

Library trustees on Monday voted to approve the shorter hours, which library Director Leonard Hernandez said equal about a 13 percent cut to current service. The new hours also factor in staffing the Arlanza branch, which should open by the next fiscal year. That opening would restore hours system-wide to almost their present level.

Under the new hours, every library but the Marcy branch would be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, though the main library downtown would stay open until at least 8 p.m. Thursdays to accommodate programs.

The Marcy library would be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily but closed Sunday, and Sunday hours of noon to 5 p.m. would be offered at La Sierra branch instead of Orange Terrace, which would close that day.

The weekday changes mean most branches would open later, close earlier or both. On Friday and Saturday, hours would be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. across the system.

Several residents asked the board to preserve later hours for some programs so the library doesn't lose visitors.

"This is the only community access room of its type in the entire community," Dawn Hassett said.

Trustees asked Hernandez to look into keeping the main library open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays.

"If you've got a clearly stated community need, you've just got to find a way to meet that need," trustee Janet Lewis said.

Also Monday, trustees began discussing how to collect public input on plans for a new downtown library. The trustees agreed to revisit library staffing at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Reach Alicia Robinson at 951-368-9461 or arobinson@PE.com.


ALICIA ROBINSON, August 24, 2009 Riverside library hours will decrease All but one of Riverside's seven existing libraries will reduce operating hours starting Sept. 4 as library officials grapple with a shrinking budget and a growing network of facilities. Library trustees on Monday voted to approve the shorter hours, which library Director Leonard Hernandez said equal about a 13 percent cut to current service. The new hours also factor in staffing the Arlanza branch, which should open by the next fiscal year. That opening would restore hours system-wide to almost their present level. Under the new hours, every library but the Marcy branch would be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, though the main library downtown would stay open until at least 8 p.m. Thursdays to accommodate programs. The Marcy library would be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily but closed Sunday, and Sunday hours of noon to 5 p.m. would be offered at La Sierra branch instead of Orange Terrace, which would close that day. The weekday changes mean most branches would open later, close earlier or both. On Friday and Saturday, hours would be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. across the system. Several residents asked the board to preserve later hours for some programs so the library doesn't lose visitors. "This is the only community access room of its type in the entire community," Dawn Hassett said. Trustees asked Hernandez to look into keeping the main library open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays. "If you've got a clearly stated community need, you've just got to find a way to meet that need," trustee Janet Lewis said. Also Monday, trustees began discussing how to collect public input on plans for a new downtown library. The trustees agreed to revisit library staffing at the beginning of each fiscal year. Reach Alicia Robinson at 951-368-9461 or arobinson@PE.com.