The Delaware County District Library says staffing issues are to blame for a reduction of hours set to take effect January 28, 2023.
These are the new hours:
Delaware and Orange branch libraries
- Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Closed Sunday (Currently Closed Sunday)
Ostrander and Powell branch libraries
- Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Closed Sunday – Monday (Currently Powell is Open Monday)
The library says when the Liberty Branch Library opens in 2023, it will reflect the new Delaware and Orange branch hours.
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“Like much of the rest of the country, the Library is facing some of the same staffing issues due to illness, vacation, or general unavailability when it comes to covering shifts – especially those in the evenings and on weekends. We analyzed the public’s use of the Library through door counts, reference desk statistics, checkouts, and overall patron usage of the Library and used our findings to direct tonight’s proposal,” said DCDL Director Bryan Howard.
Despite the staffing issues, there are no job openings currently posted on the library’s website.
According to the library, branches saw the least activity during the first and last hours of the day.
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“Our year-to-date circulation totals are up across the board at all locations,” said Howard. “However, the places where we’ve seen incredible growth and interest are in our digital collections. We may not see all of our patrons’ faces in the branch, but we know they’re using our services from the comfort of their own
homes on their own time.”
Circulation statistics indicate that eBook checkouts have increased by 21 percent compared to November 2021; Hoopla (eBooks, audiobooks, and music) checkouts have increased by 23 percent; and Kanopy (streaming video) has increased in popularity by 52 percent.
Additionally, once the Liberty Branch Library opens, the Powell Branch Library will function as a quick-stop location for community members to browse and borrow materials, use computers and the internet, study and read.
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“The changes in hours give us the opportunity to make sure that we are offering the highest quality service to our patrons while maintaining a library location in beautiful downtown Powell,” said Deputy Director Molly Meyers LaBadie.
The new Liberty branch will be located at Home and Steitz roads, just west of Olentangy Liberty High School. The 42,000 square foot building will have three levels, filled with about 60,000 books, DVDs, CDs and other media.