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Library to shift one Friday hour to Saturday after data review; no staff reductions
Summary
Library director told the council the library will reduce Friday hours by one hour and add two Saturday hours after Labor Day based on a year of attendance data showing higher Saturday usage; the library board supports the change and staff say no positions or hours will be cut.
The North Bend Public Library will revise its public operating hours after Labor Day to better match community use patterns, the library director told the council.
The director said the change follows a year-long review showing consistently low Friday afternoon attendance and higher Saturday use. "We are going to implement these revised public operating hours, with the intention of better aligning our library service hours with community youth, while maintaining our current staffing levels," the library director said. Staff plans call for reducing one hour on Fridays and shifting those hours to Saturday, resulting in a consistent 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule on both days.
The library board reviewed the proposal at its May and June meetings and expressed support; staff emphasized the revision does not eliminate staff positions or scheduled work hours. The director provided attendance figures to illustrate the change: typically 35–40 people after 3 p.m. on Fridays compared with about 86 people during a comparable three-hour period on Saturday mornings.
Councilors who spoke said they supported the data-driven approach and highlighted benefits for youth and internet access after school. No formal vote was taken at the work session; staff will proceed with public communications and implement the change after Labor Day.
