Jacksonville Public Library will add more hours at many locations effective March 2, 2019, the result of a staffing increase approved by City Council Sept. 25, 2018. The addition of eight operating hours weekly at nine branches and 12 at each of the four regional locations, represents a 12.6 percent increase in hours open each week. The new schedule allows customers more access to resources, programs and services throughout the city. In addition, the hours of operation have been adjusted to align with the days and times customers most want to use the libraries.
 
Nine branch libraries—Argyle, Beaches, Bill Brinton Murray Hill, Mandarin, Maxville, San Marco, South Mandarin, West and Willowbranch—which previously operated just five days a week, will now open six days a week. Hours were also added to the library’s four high-traffic regional libraries, which includes Highlands, Pablo Creek, Southeast and Webb Wesconnett.
 
To ensure consistency across the board, all 16 branch libraries will be open 48 hours per week (six days a week) and adhere to the same schedule: Monday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and closed on Sunday. The four regional libraries will be open 64 hours per week (seven days a week) with consistent hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Main Library, open 52 hours per week (seven days a week), has no change in hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
 
Library Director Tim Rogers said a lot of planning and research went into decisions about changing hours to align with customer usage. “We moved the opening and closing times on Monday and Tuesday back an hour at the branch libraries because the data indicated it was the best choice for the customers. Traditionally, our libraries, and industry-wide, are busiest on Mondays and Tuesdays, with activity falling off every day as we head into the weekend.  We wanted to take advantage of that business and give the greatest number of customers the best shot of using the library, and increase our efficiency and effectiveness. We're looking to improve access to the largest number of people, and we believe that the new hours will do that,” Rogers said.
 
Look for the new schedule of library hours, effective March 2, 2019, at jaxpubliclibrary.org. Customers may continue to access the library’s digital collections 24/7.
 
About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.1 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 4.7 million times, and nearly 15,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.