Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Public Library added hours beginning Friday when it remained open an extra two hours.
With a boost in its budget this year, the library is now opening on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. It had been closed Wednesdays and closed at 3 p.m. on Fridays.
The library also is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed Sundays.
“It will provide more opportunities to do additional programming and just be here when the public needs us,” said Director Rose Peda.
For now, the existing staff is handling the additional hours, but long-term, the library is adding a new 20-hour-per-week position, replacing an on-call position. The library is increasing the hours for two librarians from 25 to 35 hours per week.
The library’s budget increased from $368,000 in 2015-16 to $516,000, partly due to a tax-rate increase approved by voters in November and nearly $100,000 extra in cash carryover.
City officials intended to shift property tax revenue to the library as properties already at tax limits would see no increase. Most properties in Sweet Home are under that condition, but a few are not.
Staffing costs increase from $174,000 to $239,500 under this arrangement.
“I am excited to finally fulfill something and bring something to the community that’s been long-needed,” Peda said.