Rockford Public Library: Reductions in Staff, Cuts in Hours Leads to Adjustments All Around

Rockford Public Library

Link to January 12 Rockford Register-Star report, "Library unveils restructuring plan".

Excerpt: Starting Sunday [January 17], libraries will be on their new schedules, open 225 hours a week as opposed to 312. Being flexible, taking on new responsibilities and juggling multiple duties will be employees’ new world, Hartzog said. One of the library’s main goals in the reorganization is to maintain customer service and programming.

In some cases, it won’t be possible. Most weekday story time programs for children of all ages were from 9:30 a.m. to noon, taking into account lunch and nap times for little ones, Hartzog said. With most libraries now opening at noon, that program is on hold. Evening story time programs will continue and could become more popular, she said. The Main Library may add one.