By 1808Delaware
In the past few days, changes have been announced which impact the services and schedule for the Delaware County Distirct Library.
Magazines – Beginning this month, you will be able to check out current issues of magazines at the Library and taken them home with you. These will circulate in the same fashion as books and other items. There is a limit of 20 magazines at a time and a time limit of two weeks.
New Operating Hours – In December, the Delaware County District Library Board of Trustees approved new operating hours and holiday closures for 2023. The new schedule takes effect on Saturday, January 28.
The new hours are as follows, according to a DCDL press release:
Delaware and Orange branch libraries:
Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Closed Sunday (Currently Closed Sunday)
Ostrander and Powell branch libraries:
Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Currently 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Closed Sunday – Monday (Currently Powell is Open Monday)
When the Liberty Branch Library opens in 2023, it will reflect the new Delaware and Orange branch operational schedule.
“The proposed change was brought to the Trustees’ consideration based on several points,” said DCDL Director Bryan Howard. “Like much of the rest of the country, the Library is facing some of the same staffing issues due to illness, vacation, or general unavailability when it comes to covering shifts – especially those in the evenings and on weekends. We analyzed the public’s use of the Library through door counts, reference desk statistics, checkouts, and overall patron usage of the Library and used our findings to direct tonight’s proposal.”
Heat mapping indicated that the Library saw the least amount of activity from patrons in both checkouts and individuals walking through the front doors during the first and last hours of the operating day.
“Our year-to-date circulation totals are up across the board at all locations,” said Howard. “However, the places where we’ve seen incredible growth and interest are in our digital collections. We may not see all of our patrons’ faces in the branch, but we know they’re using our services from the comfort of their own homes on their own time.”
Circulation statistics indicate that eBook checkouts have increased by 21 percent compared to November 2021; Hoopla (eBooks, audiobooks, and music) checkouts have increased by 23 percent; and Kanopy (streaming video) has increased in popularity by 52 percent.
Additionally, once the Liberty Branch Library opens, the Powell Branch Library will function as a quick-stop location for community members to browse and borrow materials, use computers and the internet, study and read.
The branch’s new schedule will allow it to continue to serve the community while still providing the customer service that DCDL cardholders have come to recognize as a trademark of the system.
