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Buncombe libraries restore hours, add 36 weekly public‑service hours and list early voting sites

Buncombe County Library Advisory Board · January 10, 2026

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Summary

Library Director Jason reported systemwide schedule restorations including Pack (PAC) Memorial Library opening Mondays, added evening hours at PAC, 36 added service hours across 12 locations, new story time times, winter reading challenge through March 3, NCWorks career drop‑ins, and several branches serving as early voting sites Feb. 12–28.

Jason Hyatt, the library director, told the advisory board that library hours and services are returning to pre‑storm levels and expanding in some cases. “For the first time since before COVID, we now have a Buncombe County Public Library that's open on Mondays,” Hyatt said, noting that Pack (PAC) Memorial Library moved to a Monday–Friday schedule and that PACS extended operating days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 7 p.m.

Hyatt said the system has added 36 public‑service hours per week across 12 branch locations and that all library locations are back to a full five‑day schedule for the first time since staffing and post‑storm adjustments reduced service. The system has adjusted story‑time scheduling to add 9:30 a.m. sessions at Pack, Oakley, Fairview, Black Mountain and East Asheville to better serve families.

Staff highlighted active programs: the winter reading challenge runs through March 3 and asks participants to complete 10 activities to earn rewards; NCWorks continues a partnership that provides drop‑in career assistance at select libraries on Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. Hyatt also reminded the board that several Buncombe County Public Library branches will serve as early voting sites from Feb. 12 through Feb. 28 and that meeting rooms at those locations will not be available for community booking during that period.

Hyatt invited members to review the Buncombe County Special Collections' posted year‑end review for more information about that department’s work and impact. He said staff can provide records or further program data if the board requests it.

Board members praised the staff for expanding services and said they had received positive community feedback about the restored hours.