** Update: on 7/9/10, the headline of this item was changed from “Arlington Public Library’s New Hours Begin July 1” **
Press Release – 6/9/10
The Arlington Public Library system will operate under a new schedule of public hours beginning with the new fiscal year on July 1. The changes reflect the Fiscal Year 2011 department budget as approved by the Arlington County Board in April.
Beginning on July 1–
- Central Library will open an hour later, at 10 a.m., Monday through Saturday. (Sunday schedule of 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. unchanged)
- Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover branch libraries will be closed on Thursdays while maintaining the remainder of their current schedules.
- Aurora Hills Branch Library will be closed on Tuesdays while maintaining the remainder of its current schedule.
- Cherrydale and Glencarlyn branch libraries also will be closed on Tuesdays. Total weekly hours of operation for both branches will remain the same as in the current fiscal year.
- Cherrydale and Glencarlyn will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, the same weekly schedule as Aurora Hills.
- Plaza Library & County Store, open only Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will not change hours from its current schedule.
- Branch hours for weekends will remain unchanged.
The reduction in system hours is the result of reduced funds for library staffing in the fiscal 2011 budget, part of cross-department cost-saving measures to balance the budget, as required by law.
To serve the public best on a geographic basis, if a library branch is to be closed on a Tuesday, the nearest branch will be open on a Tuesday. If a branch is to be closed on a Thursday, the nearest branch will be open on a Thursday.
The Library’s system for putting materials on hold for pick-up will be adjusted to reflect days when branches are closed.
The new schedule for Arlington Public Library, beginning July 1, 2010– 
Central Library–
Monday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Aurora Hills, Cherrydale, Glencarlyn–
Monday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
Columbia Pike, Shirlington–
Monday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Wednesday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Westover–
Monday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Wednesday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
Plaza Library & Arlington Shop–
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED
What a shame to close the new Westover branch on Thursdays. The county spent so much money to build it, but now can't afford the much smaller sum it would take to maintain the hours that the old branch had. Better to have an old library that's open, rather than a brand new one that's closed.
I understand that people is the big expense of any service. It is also the great asset of the library. I am sad.
Such a shame that library hours had to be cut (fairly significantly!) to balance the budget. Public Libraries are the one thing that make me happy to pay taxes. Arlington County, next time there are budget cuts, look elsewhere!
Our County Board has no shame. Bigger salaries for themselves, fewer services for the residents of Arlington County. And yet somehow there is always money for speed bumps, even in neighborhoods where residents don't want them.
There's been talk of closing the Columbia Pike library permanently and moving it elsewhere. Please DO NOT do this. The Columbia Pike branch is an integral part of the Pike and a lot of the neigborhoods would lose a valuable resource. Reduce the hours if you must or find some other way to cut costs, but DON'T shut it down permanently. It would be such a disservice to the communities around it.
I agree with the above comment, especially for children in the neighborhood (and there are lots and growing!). Most young kids take a nap after lunch, leaving only 2 mornings for them to go to the neighborhood library. And with such a confusing schedule, it will be hard to remember when it's open and attendance will probably drop on the days it is open. Way to promote literacy Arlington!
There are plenty of people that would love to volonteer work at the library. Retired people for instance w higher educations…Just have one paid staff w volonteers – since we have such high education and we have a small county – I feel the same way that the county spends a lot $$ on flashy renonovations(specially in North Arlington) but somehow there is very little business sense how to best operate!
Bad economic times demand sacrifices. I am pleased that the County Board was, at least, able to maintain our neighborhood libraries.
I agree with the earlier comment. I'd wondered about the huge amount spent on the new Westover facility and now am dismayed to learn of the Thurs. closing. Unfortunately, it appears to be just another example of poor planning by our county government.
Well, at least the county isn't entertaining CLOSING your local branch like they are the Columbia Pike location.
I agree that new buildings are a sad replacement for library time for our children!
The comment above is a critical one that counties across the land face: capital costs vs. business operation costs. I do believe that the average library user would rather have expanded hours / more hours vs. having a remodeled library.
The county board has plenty of money to spend thousands on a frivolous law suit against the hot lanes on 395 but won't even fund full time at the library.I will never again vote for anyone on the current county board and urge others to follow suit.
Just want to say I'm very sad , but thanks for the information.
Automatic Checkout and reduced hours. I hope the next step isn't closure. The library has been a major asset in helping my children learn to read with its awesome staff.
Folks, the libraries are still open. Please remember that the physical upgrades of our libraries were in place during a more robust financial period and most nearly completed before the current economic downturn hit. So, enjoy the fine facilities. And, please also remember that the current slowdown of the economy is affecting all county services. I commend the decision to juggle the libraries' hours to accommodate the reading population instead of permanently closing of library branches.
I am sad. I understand budget cuts and what must be done, but I also love the library services. I wish the best for those whose hours were cut and hope it doesn't affect the excellent service I've been receiving for years.
Glad to be updated, but I'm with Noreen – libraries are the one thing for which I'm to pay taxes. No controversy there. It's a shame that they have to be the first area to suffer cuts.
Noreen, Renee, Rildo and all who have expressed their support for the Library here – Thank you. It means a lot to us.
(Speaking as a book-loving Blue), I'm glad to see the County taking some sensible steps during tough times. To be really serious about the budget, the Board should have the courage to hold up against the N. Arlington folks and close a library branch that's only a stone's throw away from Central. Keeping Cherrydale open is just plain silly and gives us Democrats a bad name. 🙂
Frankly, I'd rather have older libraries that are open longer hours than sparkling new ones that are closed too frequently. That latter serves only the Board Members' image, not the public.I know you guys at the Library are just following orders and doing the best you can. It's just a shame those orders are devoid of leadership.
We're moving into the Glencarlyn neighborhood, and the library at the heart of it was a huge draw. The library means so much to me and my kids. We're sorry we can't use it on Sundays.
This is an absolute outrage!!! It will not be long before the libraries are only open on the weekends or become some virtual service that you pay for through Comcast!!I really hope people do not go quietly into the night, regarding this issue!! We must speak out. Support your local library like they are your favorite sports team.
Anonymous-Glencarlyn has not previously been open on Sundays, so that is not a change to their schedule.
I commend the library system for being clear and open with the changes, and the reasons behind them. The librarians/staff who are the direct 'victims' of the reduced hours, through pay cuts, are to be lauded for providing excellent service during this tough time.I hope we are all ready for MORE cuts to come in schools and other community programs as the reality of reduced income forces reduced service county-wide.
Since these cuts & changes have been made due to a tightening budget, that means when the crunch eases we'll get our librarians & hours back, right?… yeah, right. I agree with the comments that express willingness to pay taxes for libraries but not for the glitzy "curb appeal" items that $$$ always seems to flow to. I don't want everything to always look superficially "new & improved" – I want to keep the heart and soul of our community beating, and libraries WITH LIBRARIANS are a vital part of that.
I am hugely disappointed that after opening such a beautiful new facility in Westover, it will not be open most mornings. If volunteers are needed to staff it, there are many of us nearby retirees who would gladly help out.
"sad" seems the predominant emotion here. My mother introduced me to the joys of the library 45 years ago, and I just can't believe that current library hours are among the first to be expendable by the County budget. Shame on this decision. Shame on the County Board members!Maggie Delia Bernard
While I'm sad that the library hours are being reduced, I'm glad that these great resources are still available to us during tough economic times. If you care about the libraries, please consider volunteering.
I see some merit to the suggestion of supplementing the professional staff with volunteers. I think it may be worth exploring by a committee of volunteers, with active participation of an experienced librarian.
BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! That was my response a few years ago when you killed the 9-10pm hours @ Central…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Again!!Use More Volunteers!!!
I am already amazed that some libraries do not even open until 1pm! But it is a very sad thing when they have to take the hit and close and/or cut back hours. The library is the one place that folks can go that doesn't cost money and with so many people out of work that is a blessing. It is also the one place that those same folks and more can go to use a computer to look for employment or various computer needs. I know it has been a godsend for me since being laid-off! Isn't there somewhere else than could take the cut than a library?!
It's sad that the County is planning a light rail along Columbia Pike while it reduces the hours of our libraries. We already have good bus service along the Pike. But we don't have a substitute for libraries.The Shirlington branch is full of computers, often heavily used. Now they'll be useless one day each week. What will happen to students in the neighborhood who don't have internet access at home and rely on the library computers to help them complete class assignments?
Self-checkout? Great… How much do I get paid for doing the job of one of your staff members? Do I get health benefits? My own parking space? Also, about how long until you cut my hours as well?We need to be looking for ways to give jobs to PEOPLE – not machines. I for one will not be using the self-checkout. I will request the help of a staff member every time I checkout a book.I hope others join me in supporting the great staff at Arlington Public Library.
I am sorry to hear about the Thursday closures. Though it is an inconvenience for us library patrons, I worry that this means some library staff will be let go or have reduced paid hours.
The fat cats get fatter by building all those comdos, the residents — tried and true, some here for generations, have to suffer because the powers that be don't know how to manage the County's money. Bummer.
I hope the County Board receives these posts and takes some notice. I echo the sentiments of many, who see our libraries as more important than all the fancy (and shockingly expensive) traffic control or showy projects like the new plans for East Falls Church. This reduction of libraries, an essential part of the community and public welfare, is not just "sad"– it is shameful and wrong.
How about if we make less bombs and more libraries, schools, parks and things that make people happy!!!
There is nothing frivolous about the law suit to halt hot lanes along 395. It is a quality of life issue, just as having our public libraries open and staffed. Hopefully, as/when the economy improves, Libraries will be first on the list for renewed funding. They are an important resources for residents and people like me who are pursuing Library/Information careers.
Wow….library are cutting hours and I think this is the 3rd time in 2 yeers that Lee Highway has been repaved…add to that and they always seem to be doing it at a horrible time for traffic. There's a priority mixup at the County Board.
Yes, it is unfortunate that there is just not enough money to continue things as they were. If the only change to the libraries is reducing hours, we can also change. Money only goes so far and I think they made the best choices with the fewest consequences. Arlington County Libraries are one of the best. Where else can you get for FREE complete entertainment for the whole family. Arlington has an extensive media collection of books, CD's, DVD's, magazines, and other things I probably don't know about. They offer free internet access and printing at a reasonable price. Would you prefer they limit purchases of new media material to keep libraries open longer?My children's first memories of a library are when it was in a storefront in the Columbia Pike shopping center at Glebe Road and Columbia Pike. There, a wonderful librarian named Ms. Tansey read to the kids and then broke out the play doh and crayons afterwards. We didn't care that it wasn't as glamorous as others. It as a very comfortable and inviting place, which libraries should be. I am thankful that we have libraries and wonderful librarians.
Re: the new Westover building – as I understand, the previous building was on the verge of being condemmed, and the new one had already been designed into the renovations for the Reed School. But I am curious about the breakdown of daily operating costs, how much is salaries vs building (lights, air), and if the County had thought about staffing the more energy efficient branches with volunteers. That may be a way to bring at least some of them back to full hours and still save money.
Folks, there has been a priority mixup at the County Board for years. And they are safe and snug and secure, because Arlingtonians vote the way the Democratic sample ballot tells them to. Any monopoly allows abuses, period. Shake them up! There are so many examples of poor money management during fat times and even poorer allocation of funding: new HS's planned for N. Arlington while Wakefield was living with broken air conditioning; the never upgraded firehouse in Cherrydale; the faux-brick crosswalks. They are pro-yucky looking new stuff, pro-DINKs. What a shame. Democrats my foot!
Do not close Columbia Pike Library! It is essential now, more than ever, and will always be a vibrant part of our community. Our children grew up and learned at this library–and the adults (and their grandchildren) are still here using it.
Thursday was ALREADY the only morning I could make it to Westover library with the girls I nanny because of the 1 pm start times on Tuesday and Wednesday – I don't have them on Monday and Friday. What will happen to the wonderful Tales for Tots program on Thursday morning? Will it be moved to a different day? It's hardly worth having a library so close by (within easy walking distance) when the hours are so limited – and we would happily spend much more time there (especially on rainy days!).
Why haven't "The Librarians" responded to the idea of using more volunteers? If this idea was negated, why was it? If this idea wasn't explored, why not pursue it?
Arlington Public Library loves its volunteers. Last year, almost 500 people applied to help the Library in a variety of ways. But volunteers require an investment of training and supervision and frequent turnover is common. Patron privacy eliminates a number of roles volunteers can play. Professional library staff positions such as librarian require an advanced degree of at least a masters.
I encourage people who disagree with the decisions of the Arlington County Board to take their complaints to the members of the Arlington County Board and to reserve the blog of the Arlington County Public Library system as a forum for compliments (and the occasional complaint, I suppose) about the libraries and librarians. Venting to the librarians about budget cuts isn’t productive.
I have no objection to self‐checkout as long as somebody remains on duty to assist patrons with disabilities. I’m far from convinced that librarians have gone to the trouble of obtaining degrees in library science with the intent of spending hours pointing scanners at bar codes.
A previous comment about making bombs versus making libraries is, if not eloquent, entirely relevant. Bearing in mind that the Congress of the United States of America authorizes the executive agencies of the United States of America to disburse certain monies to agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which then disburse certain monies to agencies of Arlington County and bearing in mind that, according to a careful analysis by the War Resisters League, fiscal year 2011 will see 48% of the budget of the federal government of the United States of America spent on current and past military pursuits, I encourage supporters of libraries to tell officials in the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and the White House that we want more education and public service and less destruction and death. Arguing about whether Arlington needs a million dollars for something or five million dollars for some other thing is a distraction when the federal government will spend nearly three trillion dollars in the coming year, of which about $1.398 trillion is military spending. Think about it. Then make some noise about it.
Library staff will always be nearby to help people with disabilities and others with checkout. Central Library just added a checkout station for use by patrons in wheelchairs.
Librarians are heroes and the finest public servants I can imagine. Just want to say that amid all the controversy. I so appreciate what you do, and you're an invaluable resource. Thank you!!!
At our local level, any curtailment of library availability is unfortunate, even if temporary. However, such measures pale in the broader perspective of national recession and international war. Everyone should share in budget tightening and in whatever sacrifices are required to resolve these painful events. Everyone must then and will share in the return to peace and prosperity too. Back to the local, our thanks and appreciation to our excellent library system, through thick and thin.
Forget the brick sidewalks and fancy lamps for the counties's appearance and keep the libraries open for the intelligence of the people….
I am a regular user of Arlington Central Library, and I consider it to be among my favorite libraries! I am sorry that budget cuts have been necessary, and I offer sympathy to any staff members or patrons who have been adversely affected. I would say that Central's hours still seem pretty good; it is still open 7 days a week, with long hours most days (7 hours each day on Friday & Saturday, 8 hours on Sunday, and 11 hours each day on Monday-Thursday.) I thank the library staff and volunteers for all they have done to make a great library system! I just hope there are no further cuts, and that someday, hopefully, the lost hours can be restored.
All these comments about distaste for the decisions made by the County Board make me wonder why these board members keep getting elected. VOTE THEM OUT! That is the only way they can understand that the citizens don't agree with their priorities. Speed bumps over libraries? I think not!
Yay self checkout. It's optional and has saved me tons of time when lines are long.
Let's not be so quick on the blame & shame! We have great public resources in Arlington (recycling, libraries, planetarium, community centers) and they cost money. Money comes from taxes (like the "car tax" that so many were so quick to abolish). So if you like the amenities, do what you can to support them – volunteer, donate, and recognize that $400/year (for an average car) to pay your share for all these resources – SMALL PRICE, folks.
This is one of the more affluent counties in the country with homes selling for millions of dollars and smaller homes for many times more than for similar places around the country, yet you cannot find the money to keep the libraries open to serve the needs of its citizens. It is too bad that the county cannot find other items to cut instead of its libraries. When a society closes its doors to knowledge, what can be next? Give me a pencil and an eraser and I would find things to cut, for example, how much are you spending to annoy citizens with your early morning policing of cars parked along the streets simply because they are in apartment areas? This is a waste of tax payer money and probably an invasion of rights because you discriminate in the places you do this. That is just one example of something to cut. There are probably a great many more.
The county should stop supplying services to people in the country illegally. Use the federal "SAVE" (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) program.
This is Sad… with so many people out of jobs now it's gonna get even harder to access those jobs. because of the closings. I hope the government is ready for more unemployment!
I think libraries can save money by not buying so many copies of the latest faddish books, books that they subsequently have to sell via "Friends of the Library" sales for 50c – $1.00 each a few months later after they fall for favor. It's a considerable waste of taxpayer dollars.Arlington libraries should have a common-sense six month to one year waiting period after a fiction title comes out before they buy it. That way they can buy a reasonable quantity of each title instead of trying to meet the artificial demands present when a book first comes out.I.e., instead of buying 10 copies now and selling 7 of them six months later for $1.00, just buy 3 of them six months later to begin with. It will save a ton of money.
I realize that closing Westover on Thursdays is just for the summer, and am satisfied to go along with that. However, I am upset that I have to check myself out all the time, when there are librarians sitting at the desk watching me do so. Have they also had a salary cut to reflect their reduction in duties?
Despite their own budget problems, all of Fairfax County's community branch libraries will be open six days a week (Monday through Saturday), instead of just five days a week as in Arlington. Sorry to see Arlington falling behind Fairfax in that regard. Let's hope this trend doesn't continue.
The Westover Library/Building should be expanded as an elementary school to reduce the over enrolled schools like Tuckahoe, Glebe, McKinley, Nottingham. We appreciate the library, but the community desperately needs an elementary school like it used to have. – Every house that sells around Westover has kids. Overcrowding is here to stay unless the Reed School is reopened. The other uses (i.e., day care, teen parents, etc) at the Reed Building can be moved to the Arlington school buildings currently underutilized.
Wish the new Westover Library would follow the same hours as Central Library.
Elaine,The change in hours is not just for the summer but for the entire 2011 Fiscal Year, which begins July 1.If you would like help with the self-check machines, please don't hesitate to ask for assistance. Staff will always be nearby handling various responsibilities. There have been no reduction in staff duties. Library roles evolve along with technologies, as with the example of self-check.
Next Tuesday, June 29, show your support for libraries by attending the national rally in Washington. Library advocates from all 50 states and D.C. will meet at Upper Senate Park on the U.S. Capitol grounds. The park is within walking distance from the Union Station Metro. The event will begin at 11 a.m. More information is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/libraryadvocacyday/index.cfm .
Residents of Arlington can obtain library cards and borrow from many library systems — including Falls Church, Alexandria, and Fairfax, among many others. There are tremendous resources close by.
The comment posted by Anonymous on 7/1/2010 at 10:44 pm has been removed due to vulgar language.
These new hours suck! C'mon Arl. Co. Board treat the library, all Arlingtonians who use it everyday, and the library staff with real respect. This is ridiculous. How is it going green when you now have to drive to another library branch or maybe take a bus if it goes to it ? Get your priorities straight.