Thanks to the Sweet Home Library’s new computer automation system has enabled the staff to extend their hours, said Library Director Leona McCann.
On Aug. 10, McCann announced to the City Council the the library would open an hour sooner, at 10 a.m.
McCann said the move is a result of time saved by the new system, which replaced the old card catalogue system in June.
“We didn’t have to spend the two hours it used to take to get the library ready to open,” McCann said. “Our duties have changed so we are able to get everything ready in one hour or sooner. We were hoping that would be part of the facts and that turned out to be true.”
She said customers have frequently told staff they wanted the library open earlier. People are “always” waiting in the morning when it opens, particularly to use the public-access computer terminals.
The new hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed Wednesdays and Sundays.
“We love it,” McCann said. “I’ve often said it would be great to open an hour earlier. We may be able to glean more hours in the evening. We’ll have to wait to see how that goes.”