Hours of Operation Changes at Central and Eastside Libraries

As part of reopening the Central Library on Mondays, the library will close at 7pm Monday through Thursday, instead of 8pm. Additionally, the Eastside Library will increase its hours of operation on Mondays and drop a half hour on Tuesday evenings and an hour and a half on Saturdays. “By making these schedule adjustments, the libraries can be open a full day on Monday, and be open at times that better reflect the schools’ and community’s use of both libraries,” said Irene Macias, Library Director.

Although the Central Library had been open seven days a week for over 60 years, Monday hours were eliminated two years ago due to decreased City revenues. “Many residents let the city know that they missed the library on Mondays,” said Macias. “It’s always disheartening to see the disappointment of a family that comes to the library on a Monday only to find the doors locked.”

On February 14, 2012, The City Council had voted to reopen the Eastside Library on Mondays in March for four hours a day and directed library staff to prepare a cost-effective budget for reopening the Central Library starting in July. “Eastside’s Monday hours have been so popular that library staff also looked at adjusting the schedule to better support the schools and community,” said Macias. “The new schedule allows for three more hours a week at the busiest times and is more efficient, which allows the library to do it without any additional costs.”

Effective June 30, the libraries’ schedules will be:

· Central Library – Monday-Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-5:30pm, and Sunday 1-5pm

· Eastside Library – Monday and Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and closed on Sunday

For a full schedule of hours and holidays at all Santa Barbara Public Library System library branches, visit the at website.