As a matter of customer service, library should be open later in the day

Editor:

In Barry Paschal's April 16 column, "Biggest gripe is compliment," he said, "Libraries aren't money-makers; they're county services, and expensive to operate."

True enough. And because it is true, the folks who make the schedule need to think about what they are doing, and readjust the schedule to meet the greatest needs of most of the library's patrons.

The library closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday, we get three hours on Sunday, and for that we needed this great new library?

Who can get to the library by 5 p.m. on a school night, or when working a typical job? If there is only so much money for library staff, reorganize the schedule. Instead of opening at 9 a.m. and staying open until 5 p.m., open at noon and stay open until 8 p.m.

Who is going to be inconvenienced by the three-hour-later starting time? No one I can think of.

Who is going to benefit by the library being open three hours later? Everyone who couldn't get there before 5 p.m., like school kids who depend on a ride, and people who punch a time clock.

And instead of three measly Sunday hours, use those payroll dollars on Saturday and let the library stay open until 7 p.m. Surely there is enough fluff somewhere in the county's budget so the young crowd Paschal mentioned could enjoy Footnotes Cafe until, say, 10 o'clock on Saturday night.

The library should be open when it is convenient for library patrons. The whole thing boils down to a matter of customer service. Is that too difficult a concept?

David Sisler, Martinez