News Release

The Library Commission approved slight modifications to branch hours at their regular meeting on December 2. The hours approved will go into effect in January 2005 and remain the same for five years. The hours were determined following a lengthy process of public meetings and written surveys at each branch and the Main Library. This process was written into the City Charter at the time the Library Preservation Fund was overwhelmingly approved by San Francisco voters in June 1994.

In 1995, the Library increased the hours of public service in all twenty seven locations by nearly 53%, from 767 hours weekly to 1,172 hours, including 1,112 hours per week in the branches and 60 hours in the Main Library. Since 1995, the Library’s books and materials budget has increased from approximately one million dollars to the present budget of $5.8 million. The new approved hours will maintain the total 1,172 hours and each library will keep the same number of weekly hours. All branch libraries and the Main remain open on Saturdays and seven branches plus the Main are open on Sundays.

Changes to branch hours effective January 2005 are as follows: Ingleside Branch will be open Thursdays 1-7:00 p.m. rather than noon to 6:00 p.m.; Ocean View Branch will be open on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. rather than 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and open Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. rather than 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Western Addition Branch will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays rather than 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and open Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. rather than 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Please see the Library Hours page for a complete schedule of library hours effective January 2005.