Thanks to the support of a five year levy approved by City of Eugene voters in November 2015, all locations of Eugene Public Library will be open more hours each week starting July 1. The new schedule will be:
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
Mon. – Thurs.: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fri. – Sun.: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
First Friday each month: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
BETHEL & SHELDON BRANCHES
Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri., and Sat.: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tues.: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sun.: closed
At Bethel and Sheldon Branches, the new schedule will increase open hours from 26 to 48 hours per week, provide for open hours on six days of the week, and continue the popular Tuesday evening hours. At the Downtown Library, the new schedule will add Sunday morning hours.
Other expanded services supported by levy funds will include:
- Adding new computer tablets and/or laptops for on-site use to double Internet access at the Bethel and Sheldon Branches.
- Increasing free events, storytimes, and classes by 33%, with a particular focus on priorities identified by the community: support for young readers and their parents; activities for teens; and maker activities.
- Increasing the Library’s budget for books, movies, eBooks, and other items, which will provide quicker availability of in-demand titles.
The levy will provide $2.7 million annually for five years, which equals about $36 per year for a typical Eugene property tax statement or 17¢ per $1,000 assessed value. To ensure accountability and transparency, regular updates about levy spending and its uses will be posted on the Library’s website. In addition, the levy measure specified separate levy fund budget and accounting (as per state law), annual staff summary of spending and performance measures, annual review by the citizen Library Advisory Board, and an annual City Manager’s report to City Council.
According to Library Director Connie Bennett, “All of us at Eugene Public Library look forward to this opportunity to do more for the community. The added hours, programs, materials, and technology will mean greater benefits for all -- educationally, economically, and for entertainment as well.”
More information about the Library levy.
Complete Library hours and location information.