Less Library Hours During Peak Demand

I’ve started to notice a trend in my region: the restaurants and malls are virtually empty, and the thrift stores and libraries are quite full. It’s a sign of the times, I guess.

One of my local libraries recently announced it was cutting its Saturday hours. I shouldn’t be surprised because cities are having to tighten their belts like everyone else. But I was still sad to hear that something that is so important in a down economy would be less accessible.

Libraries are our connection to free entertainment, to knowledge, to tax forms. We can learn how to tweak our resumes, research a potential used car purchase, or surf the internet. They’re indispensible to us frugal folk.

So what’s a frugal person to do with less library hours available? By all means, keep using the library! You need to continue to use the library to let your community know that it is a valuable service. Show them that the demand for more library time exists. Contact your local city officials and ask for more hours.

Use your time at the library wisely. Most libraries have an online catalog that will let you create a reading list and even reserve the books, so all you have to do is pick them up. If you’re having trouble finding something, ask the staff – they’re there to help.

Make sure that your library is well-used so that when the economy does turn around, cities will start doing a better job at funding their libraries.