Vancouver Island Regional Library is scaling back operating hours at its Campbell River branch.
Effective July 1, hours of operation at the library are reduced to 54 hours a week from 57.
The change only affects Fridays when the library will close at 5 p.m. instead of 8 p.m.
The 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. schedule will remain in tact Monday to Thursday and hours of operation on Saturdays will stay at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays, the library will open at 10 a.m.
Rosemary Bonanno, executive director of Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), said the cut backs will help the organization meet its budget commitments and remain cost neutral.
While the Campbell River library is seeing a slight cut back in hours, rural area libraries – including the Cortes Island, Sayward and Tahsis branches – will be open longer and more often.
Bonanno said the longer hours are in an effort to keep VIRL relevant and accessible.
“Improving access to library service for our rural communities, while adhering to budget limitations, has required an innovative solution,” Bonanno says. “We are committed to supporting the larger community of Vancouver Island as a cooperative and are appreciative of staff and customer patience and dedication during this improvement.”
The Cortes branch will be opened 20 hours a week, up from 12 hours.
The library will be closed on Mondays but open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then again from 1 to 5 p.m.
The library will be open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m., then 5 to 8 p.m., closed on Thursdays and Sundays and open Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m.
VIRL is adding service on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hours in Sayward will double from 10 hours to 20 hours per week, with the library closed on Mondays, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., then 1 to 5 p.m. and open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library will be closed on Fridays and Sundays but open on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., then 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In Tahsis, library hours will expand to 20 hours a week, up from 12 hours.
The branch will be closed on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays but open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., then 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursdays 1 to 4 p.m., then 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.