Fort Worth library will expand hours

If you’ve ever wanted to check out a book or return one that’s been overdue, but couldn’t because your nearest library was closed, the Fort Worth Public Library has good news — most locations will have extended hours.

Starting Saturday, branch and regional libraries will add a total of 114 additional hours to their schedules. The move standardizes library hours and kicks off a long-term effort to attract more users, said Manya Shorr, Fort Worth Public Library director. The boost in access comes at no new cost to taxpayers.

The central, regional and branch libraries will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. The central and two regional libraries will also be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. There will be no change to Butler, Cavile or Cambridge Court locations.

Shorr expects to see an immediate increase in library use, especially at the Southwest Regional Library, 4001 Library Lane, which is the library’s most popular location with 600 to 800 visitors a day.

Shorr said she hopes to also introduce new or expanded library programs, services and events.

“This is really the first step in attracting people back to the library,” she said. “Without access nothing else can happen.”

During the recession in 2009, the library’s funds were cut by the equivalent of 50 full-time employees. The library cut hours by more than 25 percent. The result was varying hours across branches, where half were closed on Thursdays and the other half were closed on Fridays.

“It’s been very confusing for our users,” she said. “No one ever knows when their library is open.”

Over the last 10 years, the library has slowly regained the staff cut during the recession, so no new employees will be needed, Shorr said.

This story was originally published March 26, 2019 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Fort Worth library will expand hours."