Library to be open seven days a week

In an effort to better serve its patrons, the Carson City Library will be open seven days a week starting in June.

“We are truly the only public facility that allows free access to the Internet and computers on Sunday,” said Library Director Sena Loyd. “It helps out families. It helps out those who have several jobs.

“Job seekers can come in on Sundays. It helps out anyone who may need more flexible hours to come into the library.”

She said respondents to a community-wide survey in 2010 overwhelmingly requested the library be open Sundays. Through the years, she said, patrons have continued to petition for the seventh day.

She said the staff looked for a creative way to fill that need.

“Although we do not have the budget to increase our hours, we do have the ability to go to seven days a week,” Loyd said. “It entailed adjusting the current hours. While we will still be open for 56 hours each week, it will be spread over seven days.”

Starting June 1, the library will open weekdays at 11 a.m., rather than the customary 10 a.m., adding up each additional hour to make up the Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule.

The library will kick off the first Sunday — June 7 — with sundaes in the Secret Garden, behind the library, from 2-4 p.m.

The tradition will continue with monthly Sundaes on Sunday being held.

While the library will still close for holidays and professional development days, Loyd said, it will still serve the community nearly every day of the year.

“It is very exciting,” Loyd said. “I’m really happy we were able to find a solution within our current budget. We didn’t have to apply for additional funds, and we can still satisfy the needs of the community.”