Library to end Saturday hours; director proposes standard weekday openings, reports hires and program plans

GUNNISON — The library director told the board she will stop Saturday service and asked members to approve a new weekday schedule that would open the library at 11 a.m. and close Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m.

"We're shutting down. We're not doing Saturdays anymore," the director said during the board meeting, adding that the staff would monitor patron use and could revert or adjust evening hours if needed.

The change follows staff observations that later evening hours draw few patrons and are difficult for employees to staff, especially in winter. The director said the proposed schedule aims to concentrate hours when patrons — including homeschooling families and children — are more likely to visit: "Let's just try going to 11 every day," she said, calling the single opening time simpler for both patrons and staff.

Board members did not record a separate formal vote on the weekday-hours proposal during the transcripted discussion; the director said she would move forward with implementing the schedule if the board was amenable.

The director also reported staffing updates: the library recently hired "Kent to Spain" and Anita Dutson, who have begun filling morning and afternoon shifts. The director said additional high‑school‑aged staff (applicants aged 15 or older) will be recruited to cover after‑school hours as current employees reduce availability for school.

On programs, the director announced the summer reading program will begin June 2 at the pavilion. The kickoff will hand out participant bags and booklets; regular story times will start the following week. The director said signs and school notifications were delayed but expected to be posted soon.

The meeting included an update on the library’s planned migration from the Verso catalog system to Koha. The director said Verso would not allow an early contract exit that would have enabled an immediate switch, so the library will complete its current contract and schedule the Koha transition for next spring. The state library, she said, will reserve grant funds to support the later migration.

Procedural business included approval of the previous meeting minutes: a motion to approve was moved, seconded and carried by those present. The meeting adjourned after a final motion.

The board discussed other community uses for the library, including a youth book club, Lego/STEM Fridays, a possible seed exchange and clothing swaps; those items were presented as ideas for staff to pursue rather than formal decisions.

Next steps noted in the discussion: staff will advertise open positions for after‑school shifts, post materials for the summer reading program, and proceed with the adjusted hours and the planned Koha migration next spring.