Library board approves Westmoreland schedule change; branch will close Sundays and Mondays starting Sept. 1

The Sumner County Library Board approved a schedule change July 22 that will close the Westmoreland branch on Sundays and Mondays beginning Sept. 1, 2026, bringing four of the five county branches into alignment.

Board members discussed whether to delay a vote to allow more community input; Westmoreland’s director (speaker 10) said she had surveyed patrons and consulted homeschool families and that staff morale and the desire for two consecutive days off were key reasons to shift days. Millersville’s director (Amy, speaker 12) described a six-month community engagement process when her branch changed hours, noting the change required surveys, canvassing and discussions with municipal leaders.

The chair summarized the systemwide pattern: "4 of the 5 libraries will be closed Sunday and Monday," and members said consistency across branches was a key justification for the change. After a motion, second and discussion about start date and website updates, the board voted to implement Westmoreland’s new hours effective Sept. 1.

Directors were directed to post revised hours publicly, add the changes to the minutes and share any patron feedback at the August study session so staff and board can monitor impact. The board noted that any larger budget changes (for added hours elsewhere) would be addressed in next year’s budget cycle.