Burlington libraries extending hours, making WiFi available after closing time

By

Published September 12, 2022 at 2:10 pm

The Burlington Public Library system is listening to its users and extending hours as well as WiFi availability.

Beginning today, the BPL is extending hours at six of its seven branches, with only Kilbride staying the same.

Here are the branches and the new hours:

  • Central and Tansley Woods
    Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Friday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • New Appleby, Aldershot, Brant Hills, Alton
    Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
  • Kilbride
    Tuesday and Thursday: 5 to 8 p.m.
    Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to a BPL spokesperson, hours were changed after receiving customer feedback about a need for increased branch access.

“We have been gradually increasing service hours since then. Our 2020 and 2022 customer surveys reaffirmed this direction.”

These increases to service hours have not increased the library’s staffing budget, but have made the library accessible to more people with diverse needs and schedules, and expanded access to BPL’s collection, programs, and spaces.

Analyzing usage data saw weeknight usage from Monday to Thursday significantly increased this spring, up 192 per cent, during the library’s closing hour from 7 to 8 p.m. Borrowing also went up during this period.

Library users also told BPL they would like 24/7 access to WiFi so they could use the internet outside branches or in their vehicles during closed hours. This change also took effect today.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising