The High River Library will now be closed on Mondays, thanks to budgetary restrictions.

Library Director Mary Zazelenchuk says library traffic is increasing, but allotted work hours are lagging behind.

"The changes are in response to budget restrictions, we have a larger amount of visits than ever before, a larger number of patrons than ever before, card holders, and program participants, and all of that requires additional work."

Zazelenchuk says libraries fall under a municipal service and have a specific formula for the amount of full time staff required for various tiers of service.

"The province has released a best practices documents for public libraries in Alberta, according to that document it's divided into essential services, enhanced services, and excellent services you can offer as a library. For High River we find ourselves falling under the required FTE's (Full Time Equivalents), required to provide even essential basic services to the population of the town."

Zazelenchuk says there is plenty of work behind the scenes to assure that libraries run smoothly.

"There's plenty of work beyond the public facing work required to allow the library to run smoothly, organizing events, finances, managing an inter-library book loaning system, the amount of work adds up fast."

Zazelenchuk says she hopes the revised hours will help accommodate the evening groups in the winter season.

"We expanded our hours of operations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, and we hope that it leaves our groups who use the library more time to communicate and use our facilities, without having to rush them out before closing."

Zazelenchuck says the library is always looking for volunteers, donations and asks anyone concerned about the budgetary restrictions to attend a Friends Of The Library Meeting.

The revised library hours are:

Sunday: Closed

Monday: Closed

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays: 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Friday: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

More information is available at the libraries website.

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com