Dear Editor,
Re: “Bring back our evening library family time,” Letters, Aug. 5.
Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns. We, too, are disappointed to have had to implement reduced hours at the branches. Your feedback helps us to appreciate the importance of the library to you and your family.
The Library Board is entrusted by city council to prepare the annual budget. Unfortunately, due to rising expenditures and falling revenues, the library’s budget for 2016 required the board to make the difficult choice to reduce our hours of operation at the Cambie, Ironwood and Steveston branches, which we did in February.
In order to fully understand the impact of the change in hours to the community, the library conducted a member feedback survey in April.
There were many comments and concerns raised about the changes to Friday hours and the majority of those concerns were regarding the loss of morning open hours at the three branches.
Based on public feedback from the survey, the board was able to make an adjustment to branch hours so that, as of July 29, they are now open at 10 a.m. on Fridays. While this change impacts library members who visit the branches on Friday evenings, it does address the majority of the concerns received in the survey.
We understand and regret that this change to the reduced Friday hours presents a personal barrier for you and your family to visit your favourite branch, but we are hopeful that you will visit the Brighouse library, as it remains open until 9:30 p.m. on Fridays.
We agree with you that Richmond Public Library plays a very important role in helping to raise the next generation of readers and provides important services to many in our community.
We appreciate that you took the time to write and your concerns will be considered as the 2017 library budget is prepared.
Simon Tang
Board chair
Richmond Public Library
