Downtown library weighs later evening hours this winter

The downtown library could stay open later on winter evenings under a proposal that library staff will present to a city advisory board this month, a change supporters say would give students, shift workers and families a warm, well-lit place to spend the darkest hours of the year.

The plan would extend hours at the downtown branch until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from November through March. Today the branch closes at 6 p.m. on weekdays. The extra hours would be covered by shifting existing staff schedules and adding a part-time position, according to a summary prepared by library staff.