Closing the doors and limiting public interaction to electronic services and curbside delivery only due to COVID-19 pandemic protocols was hard on Moline Public Library staff.
“Everyone really enjoys offering services to and interacting with the community,” Library Director Bryon Lear said. “It’s been challenging.”
That’s one reason staff was so excited to return from the holiday break this January. Not only is the library back to pre-pandemic hours – including Saturday service – hours have actually expanded, with doors now open on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The Sunday hours will be in effect from Labor Day to Memorial Day each year.
“We haven’t been able to offer Sunday hours since 2015,” due to budget and staff cutbacks, Lear said.
Now, with public health restrictions easing and new staff being added, the library is hoping to welcome old and new patrons alike.
“We were open for our first Sunday last week (Jan. 9) and we had about 60 people who checked out around 130 items,” Lear said. “Staff noticed lots of new faces, and lots of families. We are hoping these expanded weekend hours can make a trip to the library a real family activity.”
The Moline Public Library, located at 3210 41st Street, is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.