Hamilton Public Library expands hours to some branches

New schedule to begin in September, cost absorbed from current budget

The Hamilton Public Library is adding about 24 hours to three branches, while also extending Sunday openings at four of its branches.

In addition, the library board agreed to implement a pilot project that would add 43 hours to the Freelton library, while also introducing three hours of study time per day for four days a week at its Terryberry location on the Mountain.

“We are looking at other opportunities to use space and we are trying to match the service with a need, trying to achieve a geographic balance,” said Karen Anderson, director of public service for the library.

The Barton and Dundas library branches will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; Red Hill will be open Mondays from 1 to 9 p.m.; and Central, Dundas, Red Hill and Turner Park branches will have their current Sunday service of 1 to 5 p.m. extended until June 2018.

In a rural pilot program orchestrated by the library, the Freelton branch will have its hours almost double from 24 hours per week to 43 hours per week. The branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

And the library will introduce a pilot project that will see Terryberry have extended study hall hours from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

The new hours are scheduled to begin September 2017. The cost associated with adding the new hours will be absorbed within the current budget, said Paul Takala, the Hamilton Public Library chief librarian.

Anderson said there are more people requesting the library open their branches, especially on Sundays.

She said the Red Hill branch, by expanding the hours on Monday and Sunday, “you really are accessing that resource. It already has value added. We are getting more bang for our investment.”

Takala said this is the first phase of a number of possible changes to the library’s branch hours over the next year. The next report on proposed changes will be before the board this fall.

Of the 22 library branches, only five branches are open on Friday, and four are open on Sundays. The new hours will see seven branches open on Fridays.

One branch, Concession Street, will be the only branch not open on Monday once the schedule takes effect in September.

The Central Library has the highest number of hours at 69, but close behind is Turner Park on the Mountain with 63 hours. Library officials say Red Hill and Dundas could become similar to Turner Park in becoming a “community hub” for their local neighbourhoods.

The Red Hill branch already has the second highest number for public computer sessions and third highest for wireless uses.

Takala said there is the possibility that Terryberry and Waterdown branches could be the next locations to see Sunday openings in the future.

“There are staffing implications we need to work through,” he said. “We can (implement the current changes) without an impact on our operating budget.”

But he indicated if the board decided to expand hours at branches, council may need to provide the library with additional funding.

The library over the years has met council’s budget directive of a two per cent increase.

“Council is under a lot of pressure,” said Takala. “We will go as far as we can.”

George Geczy, board chair, said during a meeting with Mountain Coun. Terry Whitehead, the veteran politician wanted Terryberry to open on Sundays. Even through Turner Park is open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

Geczy said Whitehead argued residents would still benefit from Terryberry being open on Sunday.

“It was very clear Sunday opening was his single biggest request he was receiving from his constituents,” said Geczy.

Anderson said the board added hours for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Turner Park and it has become the second busiest day to its Sunday opening.

“Saturday generates more circulation than any day,” she said. “There is a real impact if we extend Sundays, we believe.”