Montgomery County Public Libraries will no longer be open to pick up books on hold on Sundays, and all branches only will be open 48 hours a week beginning Jan. 24. The changes are expected to be temporary.
While the libraries themselves are closed to browsers, their new hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from noon until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each county library will be open eight hours a day, not including Sundays.
The Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington will remain closed.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately requires us to make this decision,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo in a news release. “I hope that we will be able to begin to restore our operating hours as the situation improves over the course of the year.”
Last March, before the county shut the libraries due to the pandemic, there were 366 employees. As of Jan. 13, there are 299 staff members. The reduction includes the elimination of staff vacancies and anyone working completely from home or on extended leave, according to Judy O’Brien Stiles, county public information Officer.
Readers can pick up their books on hold only during the new library hours. Digital services will continue to be available 24/7.
