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Board discusses opening libraries on Saturdays for programs; staff cautious about unsupervised children
Summary
Trustees debated whether to expand Saturday hours across the library system to improve access during summer; staff said Tubac is open Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Sonoita may open seasonally and Nogales may host occasional Saturday programs but staff are wary of unsupervised children becoming a caregiver burden.
Board members raised the possibility of increased Saturday hours so families could access library services during summer when parents may be working. "I was wondering about Saturday hours since... a lot of families are, parents are working, and so it's difficult to get kids to the libraries during the week," said Pancho, a trustee.
Danica, speaking for library staff, said Tubac already opens 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sonoita is under consideration for a fall expansion; staff are open to Saturday programming but expressed concern that Nogales can become a space where children are left unsupervised. "Nogales always ends up being a backup to becoming us becoming babysitters... I am not opposed to it. I just do want to see people coming in and using the library not it just being a drop off place for us to take care of," Danica said.
Trustees and staff noted the libraries’ existing policy that children should not be left alone and said opening Saturdays for special programs may work if volunteers or structured programs are in place. Staff mentioned outreach efforts scheduled for back-to-school events in Rio Rico and Nogales and said Saturday openings might be tied to such community programming rather than regular unsupervised hours.
