Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Hours topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Urbana Free Library board approves shorter hours to address staffing and sustainability
Summary
The Urbana Free Library Board approved a revised hours-of-service policy Dec. 9, citing staffing instability and the need to create predictable times for staff training and collaboration; library staff said frequent call-outs and schedule limitations made current hours unsustainable.
The Urbana Free Library Board of Trustees voted Dec. 9 to adopt an updated hours-of-service policy intended to improve service sustainability and staff capacity. Library staff said the change will create regular opportunities for staff meetings and training and allow the library to better match service hours to patron usage.
Library staff (unnamed in the record) described the rationale at the meeting, citing door‑count trends since 2020 and a pattern of staff call‑outs that totaled “about 170 hours” in a recent month, which they said made it difficult to maintain consistent desk coverage and to avoid overworking managers. The staff presentation framed the change as a starting point that the board and administration can expand if and when staffing and budgets allow.
Board members questioned how the public and the city might perceive a reduction in posted hours. A trustee asked whether the change represents more than a 10% reduction and whether patrons would notice; staff said they will prepare communications that explain the data-backed reasons for the adjustment and emphasize that hours can be adjusted in the future. Trustees recommended assembling the supporting usage data and outreach plans before broad public rollout.
The board approved the combined items (8.2 and 8.3) by voice vote. The motion to adopt the updated hours policy passed with all votes recorded as "aye" on the record at the time of the vote.
The policy change takes effect per the library’s usual adoption practice; staff said they will monitor impacts and return with adjustments if patron needs or staffing conditions change.
