Fort Worth Star Telegram Logo

Fort Worth library hours could be cut | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

×
  • E-edition
    • Customer Service
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Newsletters

    • Local
    • Fort Worth
    • Arlington
    • Northeast Tarrant
    • Texas
    • Crime & Courts
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • Bud Kennedy
    • Databases
    • Nation and World
    • Cowboys
    • Rangers
    • TCU
    • Mac Engel
    • Colleges
    • Mavericks
    • Motorsports
    • Stars
    • High School Sports
    • Scores & Schedules
    • All Sports
    • Football
    • Baseball
    • Softball
    • Volleyball
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • Submit a letter
    • Cheers and Jeers
    • Submit a Cheer or Jeer
    • Bud Kennedy
    • Michael Ryan
    • Cynthia M. Allen
    • Other Voices
    • Business
    • Growth
    • Restaurants
    • Arts & Culture
    • Movies
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Party Pics
    • Horoscopes
    • Comics
    • Contests
    • Puzzles and Games
    • Food & Drink
    • Arts
    • Health & Fitness
    • Indulge
    • The Keller Magazine
    • Neil Sperry
    • Social Eyes
    • Dear Abby
    • Weddings
    • Arlington Citizen-Journal
    • Keller Citizen
    • Star-Telegram Northeast
    • Mansfield News-Mirror
    • Weatherford Star-Telegram
    • La Estrella
    • Locales
    • Noticias
    • Deportes
    • Entretenimiento
    • Contáctenos
    • Media Kit
    • Today's Obituaries
    • Obituaries in the News
    • Submit an Obituary

    • All Weddings
    • Announcements
    • Bridal Show
    • Contact Us
    • Inspiration
    • News & Advice
    • Vendors
    • Hispanic Heritage
    • Cancer Awareness
    • Healthy Lifestyle
    • Dining, Entertaining
    • Breast Cancer Awareness
    • Think Green
    • Money Matters
    • All About Pets
    • Careers and Business
    • Health and Wellness
    • How To...
    • Women Today
    • Family and Parenting
    • Easy Living Tips
    • Lawn and Garden
    • Giving Back
    • Men Today
    • On the Road 1
    • On the Road 2
  • Public Notices
  • Local Deals
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
  • Mobile & Apps

Latest News

Fort Worth library hours could be cut

By AMAN BATHEJA and MIKE LEE - STAR-TELEGRAM

    ORDER REPRINT →

August 15, 2008 12:21 PM

FORT WORTH -- City officials proposed a radical change to the city's library system today starting this year with a cut in library hours at all its branches.

Addressing the Fort Worth City Council at its budget retreat, library director Gleniece Robinson outlined a proposed cut in library hours of as much as 38 percent at some branches starting next month while also revealing details of a long-term policy involving closing some branches and redesigning others to appeal to tech-savvy youth.

"Everything they know is on demand," Robinson said. "They have Bluetooth and iPods and MP3 players. They download and upload and instant message. ... We need to respond to those users in terms of providing services."

The four redesigned branches would be smaller than traditional branches and focus on "high demand services" such as providing online access and have a smaller collection of print materials that are chosen based on their popularity, Robinson said.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to the Star-Telegram

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

Robinson said the changes were proposed in response to the city's multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, which is expected to grow over the next five years. She noted that her department is following the lead of other cities such as Houston, which opened an "express library" in a shopping center last year.

"It's mostly a self-service kind of concept," Robinson said. "It's a more efficient, effective and cost-conscious way of responding to the city's growth."

Council members praised Robinson's efforts to cut costs but did not commit to her long-term plans of closing some branches.

"I guess this is like medicine that's good for you," Councilman Danny Scarth said. "It's a little hard to swallow."

Several council members focused their questions on the most immediate change: a cut in library hours.

"It's especially difficult because obviously we know when there's an economic downturn, people use libraries even more," Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks said. "To see fewer hours is troubling."

Starting Sept. 27, the city's library staff is planning to reduce operating hours at the Southwest and East Regional Libraries from 64 hours a week to 40 hours a week — with each facility open only one night per week instead of four nights.

In downtown Fort Worth, the Central Library's hours will be cut from 70 to 52 hours and would see evening hours cut from four nights to two nights.

The city's 10 neighborhood branches would have their hours cut from 42 to 40 hours per week, with evening hours reduced from two nights to one night.

Councilman Frank Moss wondered whether students of working parents would be able to use their local branch if it's not open late. Councilman Sal Espino said he was worried about how these changes might affect local literacy rates.

Robinson said the details of the new library schedule were still being developed but assured council members that several libraries around the city will remain open to the public every evening.

"You are going to hear some people that aren't going to be happy about it," Mayor Mike Moncrief said. "At the same time, I think you're going to hear from people who are pleased that they don't have an increase in taxes."

  Comments  

Videos

Fort Worth 2019 State of the City address

IBF Welterweight champ Errol Spence is excited to face undefeated four division champ Mikey Garcia at AT&T stadium

View More Video

Trending Stories

Will I-35W congestion finally be fixed? Fort Worth mayor has news for North Texas drivers

February 19, 2019 04:29 PM

Machado deal ‘great for the players.’ Did the Rangers consider a late push to land him?

February 19, 2019 02:47 PM

Voice on the school board for almost 30 years to leave, open the way for challengers

February 19, 2019 01:36 PM

Want to build a home in the country? A new Texas law may block your access to water

February 19, 2019 07:00 AM

It’s everyone’s favorite Rangers video: Joey Gallo taking batting practice

February 19, 2019 10:21 AM

Read Next

Father, artist, rapper killed in shooting ‘had so much potential,’ friends say

Fort Worth

Father, artist, rapper killed in shooting ‘had so much potential,’ friends say

By Nichole Manna

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 20, 2019 01:11 PM

Caleb Sims, also known as SLVMP CEE, was killed Saturday in a shooting in a north Fort Worth neighborhood. The driver of the car he was in called 911 from a nearby Dairy Queen.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to the Star-Telegram

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE LATEST NEWS

Report: Rioting at Gainesville State School was sparked by gangs, boredom, ‘issues’

Texas

Report: Rioting at Gainesville State School was sparked by gangs, boredom, ‘issues’

February 20, 2019 12:57 PM
Briles, Baylor respond to the NCAA. Why they’re hoping for best, fearing the worst

Mac Engel

Briles, Baylor respond to the NCAA. Why they’re hoping for best, fearing the worst

February 20, 2019 12:14 PM
Armed suspects rob west Fort Worth hotel, but captured after traffic stop, police say

Fort Worth

Armed suspects rob west Fort Worth hotel, but captured after traffic stop, police say

February 20, 2019 07:17 AM
NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships are coming to Fort Worth. But when and for how long?

College Sports

NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships are coming to Fort Worth. But when and for how long?

February 20, 2019 12:00 PM
Southwest leaders blame mechanics for slow traffic while travelers wait it out

Dallas

Southwest leaders blame mechanics for slow traffic while travelers wait it out

February 20, 2019 11:28 AM
You could stay at this new upscale hotel in Downtown Fort Worth next fall

Fort Worth

You could stay at this new upscale hotel in Downtown Fort Worth next fall

February 20, 2019 11:35 AM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
Advertising
  • Information
  • Place a Classified
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story