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Council adopts uniform library hours; library staff to use grant funds for play area improvements
Summary
After staff presented usage data, the Bowie council voted to adopt new library hours (weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m., no regular Saturday hours). Staff reported average after-5pm checkouts of three per day on Tuesdays/Thursdays and typical Saturday foot traffic of about 18; Beth said the library hopes to use a $25,000 Pretty Foundation grant for front-playground upgrades.
The Bowie City Council approved a change to library hours after a staff presentation on usage and staffing concerns. Under the adopted schedule the library will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and will not maintain regular Saturday open hours; staff said periodic after-hours events would continue.
Beth, the library representative, presented attendance and circulation data and said staffing turnover and low Saturday and late-evening traffic motivated the proposed change. "We averaged three people after 5:00 that check out books," Beth said, describing a year-long review of Tuesday and Thursday evenings. She also said average Saturday foot traffic was about 18 people. Council members asked staff to track visits after implementation and to revisit hours if public complaints warrant it.
Beth also described a recently awarded $25,000 grant from the Pretty Foundation intended for library improvements. She said staff proposals under consideration include replacing the front gravel play area with safer surfacing (AstroTurf), adding play equipment and a fence to improve child safety and visibility. Council approved the hours change by motion and roll-call vote.
What happens next: the hours change takes effect immediately; staff will monitor use between 5 and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the council said it would reconsider the schedule if complaints or demand warrant restoring the later hours or Saturday service.
