Ann Thornton's blog

In July 2007, The New York Public Library was able to expand hours of service to at least six days per week at all of its locations, adding over 260 extra hours of service per week to its 91 library locations – hours that had not been available since budget cuts made after September 11, 2001. Funding from the 2007 New York City budget permitted the popular Bronx Library Center to be open from 9am to 9pm everyday, seven days a week.

These hours are critical to users, especially now. As Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library, said recently:

New Yorkers are facing a time of crisis, and we see people dealing with the ill effects of the economy in our libraries every day, taking advantage of the free programs, services, and materials we offer at locations throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Throughout the Great Depression, The New York Public Library was able to maintain seven days of service. In fact, annual reports of the Library from 1929-1939 confirm that the Central Building was open 365 days per year and a total of 82 hours per week. Most branches were open 313 days per year and a total of 72 hours per week. The Library’s contract with New York City at that time required that all branch libraries in Carnegie buildings (39 in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island) remain open 12 hours daily, except Sundays.  read more »

Today, library hours and services are threatened in municipalities across the country. New York is not exempt, particularly with the proposed City budget cuts. Yet we also read and watch various news reports about increased use of libraries during this current economic downturn.

At The New York Public Library, we're seeing substantial changes in use. Not surprisingly, attendance and circulation are up. Attendance is up by 13% in the last year, and circulation has increased to 21.1 million in 2008, up from 17.2 million in 2007. Users are seeking information to help them through tough times and are also using the Library’s collections and programs as ways to escape from it all.

Three weeks ago, we surveyed participants in public programs and training classes and found that more than one third of them were unemployed and searching for jobs. In the last four months, we have documented an increase of 38% in unique users searching for and using job information on the Library’s website. And from the front lines, Library staff members are reporting increasing questions from users about all kinds of related topics, from unemployment insurance to resumé writing.  read more »