Capitol Hill library hours survive budget crunch

Artwork at Capitol Hill Library,
originally uploaded by javacolleen.

The Friends of Seattle Libraries group is documenting the impact of today's City Council vote approving a plan that will allow the city's library system to maintain service levels despite a citywide budget crunch:

Central:

    •    Hours remain at the current seven day, 62 hour weekly schedule

Ballard, Beacon Hill, Broadview, Capitol Hill, Douglass-Truth, Greenwood, Lake City, Northeast, Rainier Beach, Southwest and West Seattle:

    •    Open 7 Days per week (60 hours per week):

    •    Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm;

    •    Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm;

    •    Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

Columbia, Delridge, Fremont, Green Lake, High Point, International District/Chinatown, Madrona-Sally Goldmark, Magnolia, Montlake, NewHolly, Northgate, Queen Anne, South Park, University and Wallingford:

    •    Open 5 Days per week (35 hours per week, closed Friday and Sunday):

    •    Monday – Tuesday, 1 pm – 8 pm;

    •    Wednesday – Thursday, 11 am – 6 pm;

    •    Friday:  CLOSED;

    •    Saturday 10 am – 6 pm;

    •    Sunday:  CLOSED

You'll note that the plan actually calls for the hours at the Capitol Hill branch to be increased -- the Harvard Ave facility currently doesn't open until 1 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. Other areas of the city -- West Seattle, for example -- saw service at some branches reduced to 5 days per week.

The City Council earlier today approved a 13.8% increase in electricity rates to help offset the city's budget issues.