Harrison Library Changes Hours After Residents Complain at Mayor & Council Meetings

The Harrison Public Library has updated its hours of operation which will improve access to the library.  It took a while but public outcry and discussion at the public session of the Mayor & Council meetings and discussion of the Harrison Resident’s forum on Facebook finally got the attention of Mayor James Fife and the Harrison Library Board.

Your Harrison ran an article entitled “Harrison Public Library Hours Are Still Very Limited” which pointed out the obvious.  The library needed to expand its hours. After public outcry, the Harrison Public Library’s increase of 1 hour per weekday increasing hours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.(instead of 3:30 pm.) was still very limited.  The Your Harrison article contrasted the hours of neighboring Towns and Cities and showed that there needed to be a dramatic change in hours at the Harrison Public Library to bring it into conformity with its neighboring towns and cities.

The Harrison Public Library announced its new hours this week:

 Monday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

Harrison’s Public Library’s hours of operation now comport with the library hours for neighboring towns and cities.  The expansion of hours during the week in the evening to 7 p.m. will provide residents including children and their parents with access to the library.  The Library will close at 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  Friday has a later opening at 11:30 a.m. and a closure at 6 p.m.  The failure to open on the weekend was another contention of town residents.  The Harrison Library will now open for four hours from 10 am. to 2 pm on Saturdays. The Library is closed on Wednesday and Sunday. The closure on Wednesday is unusual.  No other local Town or City Library closes during the week.  Sunday closures are very common.

What are your thoughts on the importance of attending Town of Harrison Meetings including the Mayor & Council meeting and asking questions? Asking Questions at the Public Session of the Mayor & Council brought attention to the Harrison Public Library's hours of operation.  It took a while but the person who asked the questions attended several Harrison Mayor & Council meetings and got the hours changed. Mayor James Fife felt the pressure when Harrison Library's Hours were compared to neighboring towns. What would you like the Library to do first to improve programs for residents including children and their parents? Let Us Know Your Thoughts on our Community Discussion Board.  If you have not signed up yet to participate you can Sign Up now.