Please find below an email from Dr. Lawson regarding service hour cuts. I will try to upload the PDF listing the new hours shortly.
Daniel
Dear Staff,
The Library’s FY12 budget of $32.4 million reflects a reduction of approximately $4.7 million from the FY11 budget. As I mentioned in previous memos, the impact of reductions to our FY2012 budget will require a number of changes to the way we do business. One of those changes is a reduction in service hours.
This is to inform you that the Houston Public Library will implement new service hours at most library locations effective Monday, August 8, 2011. The most notable change for library customers and for our team is the reinstatement of Saturday hours at 16 neighborhood libraries. The change in hours comes after careful review of our usage patterns, from responding to customer requests for Saturday access to their neighborhood libraries, and from working carefully with the Public Services team. For a number of you, this change will mean an adjustment to your current work schedules. I appreciate your cooperation to help implement our new service hours.
Highlights of the new schedule:
• The number of hours open to the public each week will be reduced at most library locations
• Library service will be provided every weekday (Monday thru Friday) at 14 neighborhood libraries for after school access
• Extended hours library service (Monday thru Saturday) will be provided at 7 library locations; this includes all Regional Libraries, Kendall Neighborhood Library, McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library, and Heights Neighborhood Library.
• Additional Saturday access has been provided at 15 neighborhood libraries (Tuesday thru Saturday)
Customers will continue to have access to Library resources 24/7 through web-based services, which allow them to search the catalog and databases, place selected Library materials on hold, renew items borrowed, obtain homework help from tutors, and ask reference questions through e-mail, chat, and text. Customers can also renew items by telephone, by using the self-checkout machines, and through the telephone reference service, available at 832-393-1313 during all hours that the Houston Public Library is open.
We remain committed to four core values and four service priorities that continue to guide our work. These values and service priorities reflect customer usage patterns, Houston’s socio-economic forecast, and national and local trends in the library industry. These core values and service priorities will remain at the center of making all decisions that are necessary in order to maintain the Houston Public Library’s huge role in providing the innumerable services for our very diverse customer base.
The Library’s Core Values are:
1) Exceptional customer service
2) Equitable access to library services
3) The provision of services, resources, programs, and information that reflect Houston’s diverse population
4) Serving as the Community’s meeting place for civic engagement.
The Library’s Service Priorities are:
1) Access to Technology and Technology Instruction
2) Workforce Development
3) Literacy Advancement (including emergent, family, ESL, and intergenerational literacy)
4) Support for Student Success
I have attached a copy of the new location guide, with the new library schedules. This information is being shared with the Office of the Mayor, Houston City Council, the media, and our customers in the next few days. The current Houston Public Library schedule of hours will remain in effect until close of business on Saturday, August 6, 2011. The new Houston Public Library schedule of hours goes into effect on Monday, August 8, 2011.
Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done as we have endured over these challenging times. Please remain flexible as we continue to adjust to reduced resources.
Thank You,
Rhea Brown Lawson, MLS, PhD
Director, Houston Public Library
500 McKinney Street
Houston, TX 77002
Office: 832-393-1300
rhea.lawson@houstontx.gov
Please note my new email address**
We give our children two things...
We give them roots and we give them wings
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