Sunday closings to be considered for downtown library

The Sault Ste. Marie Public Library board agreed Monday to consider reduced operating hours at its main Centennial Library and Korah branch.

Closing the downtown Centennial Library on Sundays effective Sept. 10 would save $7,000, but the three hours the library is currently open that day are among the busiest times of the week, board members were told.

Sunday closings would eliminate a drop-in story time for children and reduce revenue from room rentals, as well as limiting use of library resources by students, according to a report prepared by Helena Huopalainen, manager of community engagement and Sharon Wigney, acting manager of public services.

Board members rejected two other ideas: opening Centennial Library one hour later at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday ($870 savings) or closing Thursdays at 5 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. ($2,240 savings).

Matthew MacDonald, acting chief executive officer and director of public libraries, will instruct circulation staff to compile hour-by-hour traffic counts and additional options will be considered including the following:

• extending Saturday closures at Centennial Library effective June 2 to Sept. 8, beyond normal summer hours ($14,900 savings)
• extending Sunday closures at Centennial Library effective June 3 to Sept. 19, beyond normal summer hours ($3,000 savings)
• aligning hours of Korah branch library with those of the Seniors' Drop-in Centre ($19,700 savings)
• closing Centennial Library at 5 p.m. on Fridays effective Apr. 6 ($7,500 savings)
• closing Centennial Library at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday effective Sept. 10 ($4,400 savings)