Renew The Library

ALICIA ROBINSON, September 10, 2009

Riverside library patrons inconvenienced but adjusting to shorter hours

When Riverside City College student Mario Leslie swung by the city's main library recently, he found himself in a jam.

He arrived around 10:15 a.m. intending to e-mail an assignment to his teacher. He didn't realize the library shortened its hours as of Sept. 4 and wouldn't open until 11 a.m.

"It has to be in by 11," Leslie said ruefully, backpack slung over his shoulder. "I'm probably just going to go to Kinko's."

Library officials agreed in August to shorten and adjust hours to save money. Riverside has faced a reduced budget citywide this fiscal year and a small number of layoffs, including the library's volunteer coordinator.

"The library is just one of the departments in the city that had to reduce its budget," Nancy Melendez, president of the library board of trustees, said in a phone interview. "We did not want to reduce hours, but that is one (area) that we felt that we could make those cuts."

The cuts to library hours, which are about a 13 percent reduction from current service, mean that all of the city's seven libraries open later and close earlier Monday through Thursday, although the main library stays open later Thursday nights. Friday through Sunday hours remain largely the same.

Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise

Mike Quill, of Riverside, reads as he and others wait for the Riverside Public Library's Main branch to open Thursday. Recent budget changes include cutting back hours of operations at libraries.

Some library users said the change doesn't pose a problem for them. Tattoo artist Mike Quill, who was waiting for the downtown library to open Thursday morning, said he'll adjust his schedule accordingly.

"It's only a one-hour change, so I don't think it's that big a deal," said Quill, who usually visits the Eastside "cybrary" to use the computers. "It's not a big inconvenience for me."

Laurelle Coon, a job coach with a Riverside-based program for mentally disabled people, brought a group of clients to the main library Wednesday. She knew about the change but doesn't expect it to affect their library use, she said.

Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise

Visitors realize that the Riverside Public Library's hours have changed.

"With the economy the way it was, I wasn't really surprised (by the reduced hours)," Coon said.

But for a group from Cole Vocational Services, which also serves disabled people, a too-early arrival Wednesday meant the trip was wasted. Staff member Sandra Spencer said the group's bus picks them up at 11:15 a.m., so they would have to come out and wait for it almost as soon as the library's doors opened.

"We'll have to do something different now," she said. "That's kind of a shame."

Other library users vow they'll make things work despite the change. Marion Mitchell-Wilson, a former library employee who is now executive director of the Inlandia Institute, said her organization will make the best of the new hours.

The institute puts on cultural programs around the Inland area, including many at the downtown library. Mitchell-Wilson was pleased that library will remain open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, because some of the institute's most popular programs are in the evenings and might have to be cut short to get out by an early closing time.

"I'm sympathetic. I understand what the budget situation is," she said, but added, "There is a huge demand, and for the community to not have access to its libraries in the evening, that's really tragic."

On the bright side, library officials did plan for staffing at the new Arlanza branch, which should open in about a year. Melendez said that should bring total library hours back to their current level.

Some patrons, however, may not want to wait. Sandy Valentine, who works downtown, said Wednesday she may just quit coming to the library. She and a coworker come to use the Internet on their morning breaks because they're too busy to get away in the afternoons, she said.

"Our one pleasure's gone," she said.

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

New Library Hours

Riverside's seven libraries switched to shorter hours as of Sept. 4.

Here are the new hours.

Arlington, Casa Blanca,

Eastside, La Sierra and

Orange Terrace:

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Main library: Same hours as above, except it remains open until 9 p.m. every Thursday.

Marcy branch: 10 a.m. to

6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Main and La Sierra

libraries: Open 12-5 p.m. Sunday; all other branches closed


ALICIA ROBINSON, September 10, 2009 Riverside library patrons inconvenienced but adjusting to shorter hours When Riverside City College student Mario Leslie swung by the city's main library recently, he found himself in a jam. He arrived around 10:15 a.m. intending to e-mail an assignment to his teacher. He didn't realize the library shortened its hours as of Sept. 4 and wouldn't open until 11 a.m. "It has to be in by 11," Leslie said ruefully, backpack slung over his shoulder. "I'm probably just going to go to Kinko's." Library officials agreed in August to shorten and adjust hours to save money. Riverside has faced a reduced budget citywide this fiscal year and a small number of layoffs, including the library's volunteer coordinator. "The library is just one of the departments in the city that had to reduce its budget," Nancy Melendez, president of the library board of trustees, said in a phone interview. "We did not want to reduce hours, but that is one (area) that we felt that we could make those cuts." The cuts to library hours, which are about a 13 percent reduction from current service, mean that all of the city's seven libraries open later and close earlier Monday through Thursday, although the main library stays open later Thursday nights. Friday through Sunday hours remain largely the same. Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise Mike Quill, of Riverside, reads as he and others wait for the Riverside Public Library's Main branch to open Thursday. Recent budget changes include cutting back hours of operations at libraries. Some library users said the change doesn't pose a problem for them. Tattoo artist Mike Quill, who was waiting for the downtown library to open Thursday morning, said he'll adjust his schedule accordingly. "It's only a one-hour change, so I don't think it's that big a deal," said Quill, who usually visits the Eastside "cybrary" to use the computers. "It's not a big inconvenience for me." Laurelle Coon, a job coach with a Riverside-based program for mentally disabled people, brought a group of clients to the main library Wednesday. She knew about the change but doesn't expect it to affect their library use, she said. Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise Visitors realize that the Riverside Public Library's hours have changed. "With the economy the way it was, I wasn't really surprised (by the reduced hours)," Coon said. But for a group from Cole Vocational Services, which also serves disabled people, a too-early arrival Wednesday meant the trip was wasted. Staff member Sandra Spencer said the group's bus picks them up at 11:15 a.m., so they would have to come out and wait for it almost as soon as the library's doors opened. "We'll have to do something different now," she said. "That's kind of a shame." Other library users vow they'll make things work despite the change. Marion Mitchell-Wilson, a former library employee who is now executive director of the Inlandia Institute, said her organization will make the best of the new hours. The institute puts on cultural programs around the Inland area, including many at the downtown library. Mitchell-Wilson was pleased that library will remain open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, because some of the institute's most popular programs are in the evenings and might have to be cut short to get out by an early closing time. "I'm sympathetic. I understand what the budget situation is," she said, but added, "There is a huge demand, and for the community to not have access to its libraries in the evening, that's really tragic." On the bright side, library officials did plan for staffing at the new Arlanza branch, which should open in about a year. Melendez said that should bring total library hours back to their current level. Some patrons, however, may not want to wait. Sandy Valentine, who works downtown, said Wednesday she may just quit coming to the library. She and a coworker come to use the Internet on their morning breaks because they're too busy to get away in the afternoons, she said. "Our one pleasure's gone," she said. Reach Alicia Robinson at 951-368-9461 or arobinson@PE.com. New Library Hours Riverside's seven libraries switched to shorter hours as of Sept. 4. Here are the new hours. Arlington, Casa Blanca, Eastside, La Sierra and Orange Terrace: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Main library: Same hours as above, except it remains open until 9 p.m. every Thursday. Marcy branch: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Main and La Sierra libraries: Open 12-5 p.m. Sunday; all other branches closed