February 3, 2012

Library Branches Open from 2PM to 6PM on Mondays

Afternoon Hours Offer Children Safe Place to Study

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

CHICAGO – Less than two weeks after allocating $2 million in resources to open libraries six days a week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that branch locations of the Chicago Public Library (CPL) will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays during the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) school year.  Mondays were already scheduled to be open for eight hours when CPS is not in session during the spring and summer.

“By opening branch libraries on Monday afternoons, we are providing students with a comfortable, safe place to study after school, while also making resources available to other patrons six days a week,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As Mayor, I’ve put children and education first and I will continue to ensure libraries are available to students after school.”

The more than $2 million allocated to open the libraries is a combination of savings and shifted resources, and will allow 90 positions to be placed in CPL branches.  This includes shifting 25 library staff from Harold Washington Library to branches; reducing maintenance costs and services at the central location; leaving unfilled positions vacant; and reducing tuition reimbursement allotments.

The Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State Street), Sulzer Regional Library (4455 N. Lincoln), and Woodson Regional Library (9525 S. Halsted), remain open seven days a week.

Branch libraries will be open Monday, February 6 and Monday, February 27, however all Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on February 13 and February 20 for City holidays.

 

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