Hall library board votes to keep reduced hours

GAINESVILLE - For now, the Hall County Library System will continue to operate on a schedule of reduced hours.

Library Director Adrian Mixson said board members made the decision Tuesday night, hoping to reduce confusion for patrons.

"We just needed to become stable and stick with the hours we have and maybe discuss them again when we have a board meeting in two months," said Mixson.

Initially, the board cut out all Saturday hours last fall, but then restored some Saturday hours just a few weeks after their first decision. Mixson said the two changes so close together left library patrons unsure of operating hours.

Mixson said despite the reduced hours, he has dealt with fewer complaints over the last few weeks.

He did say that the same budget challenges that prompted reduction in operating hours have also affected library staffing.

"We've had a lot of staff turnover," said Mixson. "We've lost about 20-percent of our staff since June, since we entered into the fiscal year."

Mixson said furloughs for library employees also forced some of that turnover.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/1/257514