Local Libraries Must Reduce Hours for 2011

Effective January 4, 2011, all of Franklin County Library System’s libraries will be forced to further reduce weekly hours of operation. Due to the loss of State Aid to public libraries, seven libraries must close an additional total of 19 hours per week.

“We held out as long as we could. Staff members were stretched to the ultimate in 2010 trying to maintain the majority of library operation schedules. The additional staff cuts necessary just would not allow normal hours of operation,” apologetically states Library System Executive Director Bernice Crouse.

This is the unfortunate result of unavoidable cuts in staff hours, totaling 300 hours from the 2009 to 2011 time frame, reflecting $250,000 loss annually in state revenue. The changes are necessary to remain fiscally responsible and are intended to impact patrons as minimally as possible. In addition, the libraries will all be closed Friday, December 31, 2010 Saturday, January 1, 2011 and Monday, January 3, 2011.

2011 library hour changes are as follows:

Coyle Free Library, Chambersburg, hours have been reduced by 3 hours a week.
New hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9-8
Tuesday: 9-8
Wednesday: 9-8
Thursday: 9-8
Friday: 9-8
Saturday: 9-2

Grove Family Library, Chambersburg: reducing 3 hours a week.
New hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9-8
Tuesday: 9-8
Wednesday: 9-5
Thursday: 12-8
Friday: 9-5
Saturday: 9-1

Lilian Besore Memorial Library, Greencastle: reducing 4 hours a week.
New hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 1-8
Tuesday: 9-8
Wednesday: 9-5
Thursday: 9-8
Friday: 9-5
Saturday: 9-1

St. Thomas Library reducing 4 hours a week.
New hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 2-6
Tuesday: 2-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 2-6
Friday: 2-6
Saturday: 9-12

Fort Loudon Community Library reducing 2 hours a week.
New hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 3:30 – 7:30
Tuesday: 3:30 – 7:30
Wednesday: 3:30 – 7:30
Thursday: 3:30 – 7:30
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9-12

Alexander Hamilton Library reducing 1 hour a week.
New hours:
Sunday & Monday:
Tuesday: 9-5
Wednesday: 9-7
Thursday: 9-5
Closed Friday: 9-5
Saturday: 9-2

Blue Ridge Summit Free Library reducing 1 hour a week.
New hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 3 – 8
Tuesday: 3 – 8
Wednesday: 3 – 8
Thursday: 3 – 8
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 - 2