The Regina Public Library is introducing new operating hours across all branches marking the first major change to the organization’s schedules in recent years. The changes follow an extensive review of customer usage patterns, including data on branch visits and book checkouts. “We did a lot of looking at customers, how they used our spaces, looking at our data, so things like how many times people are coming through our spaces and when books are being checked out,” said Amber Christensen, executive director of the Central Branch. Major branches such as the downtown Central Library will open slightly later in the morning and close a little earlier in the evening. The hours being reallocated will allow branches to offer expanded Sunday service, including opening earlier on Sundays. Christensen said the changes are designed to better reflect how residents use library services. “We have made some changes that we hope, and we believe, will be really supportive to our communities and how they use our locations,” she said. “That means some of our larger locations, George Bothwell, Sunrise and Sherwood Village, all have additional evenings and additional hours on Saturdays and Sundays.” Some smaller branches, including Connaught, will no longer offer evening hours. However, every Regina Public Library branch will now be open seven days a week. Library users expressed mixed reactions to the changes, though many welcomed the expanded weekend access. “I like the changes for the most part, but the hours some may not like,” said library patron Mitchell Anderson. Farah Chami said earlier Sunday openings will better accommodate her study schedule. “I usually like to study on Sunday and I find that if I get an earlier start, it really increases my ability to make sure I get everything done and stay productive,” she said. The library says the revised schedule will not result in any cost savings or additional expenses, with total operating hours across the system remaining unchanged.
