NEW LIBRARY HOURS

As of September 1, 2009 the Joplin Public Library will be open the following hours:

Monday - Thursday 9am to 8pm
Friday - Saturday 9am to 6pm
Sunday 1pm to 5pm

In 2006 Joplin residents approved a levy increase to allow the library to be open four evenings a week, increase programming and buy additional materials. The voter approved levy was received for one year. The following year the Library was subject to an involuntary rollback as per State statutes. As property values decline, revenue remains flat. Because of this the Library Board of Trustees has made the difficult decision to cut hours effective September 1.

The Library remains dedicated to being open four nights a week and will continue that by shaving one hour off each evening Monday – Thursday. Friday and Saturday hours remain unchanged. Sunday hours will return to 1-5 p.m., the same hours prior to the levy increase.

The new hours will not affect programming, which is very popular and heavily attended. The purchasing of new materials will also not be affected.

The Board of Trustees are committed to reinstating the lost hours if and when funding improves.

--Susan Wray, Library Director