Effective Jan. 5, all Hennepin County libraries will open at either 9 a.m. or noon. All libraries will close at 5 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. This will move the Library from 15 sets of open hours to four; from four opening times to two; and from seven closing times to three.
Library Help Desk and Ask Us services will also add hours as of Jan. 5 to maintain their availability during all library hours and to increase access to reference service by IM, text and email.
“Our 2014 hours schedule responds to patron requests for more open hours and more consistent hours between libraries,” said Lois Langer Thompson, Hennepin County Library Director. “We are excited to give our patrons more access to Library resources, including space, materials, technology and staff, as well as a less confusing schedule.”
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The 2014 schedule is built on a new framework that places Hennepin County libraries in four groups based on patron use trends and assigns a set of open hours to each group. Feedback from patrons, staff and other Library stakeholders informed the framework. It was designed to ensure access to library services across the county.
“We know most of our patrons visit multiple Hennepin County libraries and that convenience drives library choice,” said Thompson. “Under the new schedule, our patrons will have more options for accessing library services when and where it’s convenient for them.”
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Overall, 34 Hennepin County libraries will increase hours, three libraries will maintain hours and four libraries will reduce hours. Libraries maintaining number of hours are Roosevelt, Southeast and Webber Park. Libraries reducing hours are Champlin, Maple Plain, Oxboro and Westonka.
At all libraries, new open hours are more aligned with the days of the week and the times of day patrons are currently visiting. The Library will continue to monitor patron use all locations.
In 2013, Hennepin County Library is on track to have an estimated 5.6 million visits to its 41 locations, 15.8 million items checked out, and 2.4 million computer sessions logged. Use is expected to grow in 2014 with more open hours.
