Seattle Public Library to close the first week in September

June 4, 9:54 AMSeattle Books ExaminerDanielle Dreger-Babbitt

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According to a press release released yesterday, all branches of the Seattle Public Library will close for a week beginning August 31st.  They will reopen after Labor Day, on Tuesday, September 8th. 

It was reported earlier this year that the City of Seattle needed to reduce a $43 million gap in the budget this year,  Since the library is funded from the city general fund, it needed to come up with ways to cut about $1 million from the yearly $50 million budget.  The week long closure will save about $655,000.  In addition to the closure, about $350,000 will come from management and administrative layoffs, a reduction in the staff training budget, and by extending the life of staff computers.

The week long closure will mean that the library's 700 employees will essentially be taking a week long unpaid vacation.  They will not be able to accrue vacation or retirement benefits during the closure.

Before announcing that the library would close for a week before Labor Day, the system looked at closing it's 26 branches by a rotating schedule; however, they decided that closing all the libraries for one week made more sense financially.  They chose the first week in September because general library use is not as high then as during other times of the year, especially since school is not in session and there are fewer library programs.  By closing all branches for a week, the library is not forced to cut any other staff positions.

During the closure, the following services will not be available:  book drop, mobile book services, library website and catalog, holds, mail, library computers, programs, or book donations. 

On a positive note, library fines will not be accumulated during the week closure and items will not be due.  The last day to check out items before the closure will be Sunday, August 30th.

In a time when most businesses and libraries are forced t make budget cuts and layoffs, it is refreshing to see a library come up with a plan that would eliminate staff layoffs.  This sin't to say that the library closure isn't an inconvenience, because it is.  Even though the end of summer isn't traditionally the busiest time of yea for the library, this doesn't mean the library isn't busy.  It has been my experience that a week or so before school begins, there is usually a rush for patrons to come get the books and materials they were required to read of over the summer.  Due to this year's closure, students will need to plan ahead to get their materials.

I can imagine that when the library does reopen after Labor Day, the branches will be crowded with patrons eager to return their items and pick up new books and movies.

On the bright side, if you are going through library withdrawal during the week closure, this is a perfect time to check out the other libraries in Snohomish, Pierce, and King counties!