Front entrance to the Thompson Nicola Regional Library in downtown Kamloops. Entrance also gains access to TNRD offices in floors above/via TNRD
Two libraries in Kamloops will be open on Sundays year-round starting in early September.
It’s a change from the existing hours at the downtown library – which is currently open on Sundays between October and April – and the North Kamloops library which has never been open on Sundays.
Chief Librarian Judy Moore says the change comes after public consultation in the fall of last year that saw over 700 responses.
“And we heard loud and clear from our patronage that they are really interested in having us open on Sundays,” Moore said. “This change is net neutral so what that means is that there are some changes to reduce our evenings.”
“The North Kamloops library will be open on Tuesday evenings and then closed earlier on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For the downtown library, it will be open on Thursday evening until 8 p.m. and closed [earlier] on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”
While both libraries will also be open an hour longer on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there is no change to operating hours on Fridays and Saturdays, which will still remain 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
“We’re able to trim up those hours and that has was really has made it possible to open on the Sundays year round,” Moore added. “There are some changes to employee schedules. We’re not driving costs on this change.”
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- The current Kamloops Library Hours, which will be in effect until Sept. 2, 2024.
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- The new Kamloops Library Hours, which will take effect on Sept. 3, 2024.
In a report to the TNRD, Moore said both the survey responded and the usage statistics between Dec. 1, 2022 and Nov. 31, 2023 showed that daytime service throughout the week was also a “strong preference” for library patrons.
While the survey also suggested that there was a “strong preference” for evening library service from Monday to Thursday, Moore says the statistics did not reflect that, noting there is a “dramatic” drop in the number of patrons after 5 p.m. at both libraries.
There is no change in the hours at the Aberdeen Tiny Library which will continue to remain open between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
