Library proposes trimming staffed hours to shift staff into higher‑use times
Summary
Based on an AI-driven heat‑map analysis of patron presence, library staff proposed unstaffing branches at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. to redeploy staff to busier hours and increase programming; the change would cut staffed hours by about 3% systemwide.
Jennifer Schultz presented an operations analysis using patron tracking data and heat maps to recommend adjustments to staffed hours. Schultz explained the analysis identified a consistent drop in activity between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. across locations and proposed unstaffing at 7 p.m. so staff can be reallocated to midday and early evening program hours.
"By trimming those hours from 7 to 8, we're able to use our staff more effectively in the hours that the patrons are in the building and... offer more programming," Schultz said. She estimated the proposed change would reduce staffed hours by about 3% across the system. Commissioners asked whether the pattern held during the school year; staff said comparisons showed similar drops in the 7–8 p.m. hour in major branches.
Schultz offered to share a more detailed analysis with interested commissioners and said implementation would be planned for later this fall if approved through internal operations channels.
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