Politics & Government

How Will the Holiday Library Closure Affect You?

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, all 13 branches of the Sonoma County Library system will close and re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 3

For the first time Sonoma County libraries will shutter during the holiday period, in an attempt to trim the system's deficit, library administrators announced this month. 

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, all 13 branches of the Sonoma County Library system — including the Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library — will close and re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

In addition to the branch closures, the library’s website and all online services also will be shut down during this time period. Book drops will be locked; no items will be due, and no fines will accrue.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This closure comes on the heels of service cuts made this summer; reducing evening and weekend

But reducing hours outside the work day makes it difficult for most to visit their local branch.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This effectively eliminates the possibility of working people to visit their library on a holiday weekend," said Kim Endoso, Children's Services Librarian at the Santa Rosa Branch, in an email to Patch.

Administrative staff say the library, which receives about 90 percent of its revenue from property taxes, faces a decreased operating revenue and the 10-day closure is a last-ditch attempt to avoid layoffs.

“We appreciate that Sonoma County Library patrons are so passionate about their library and that closing the libraries over the holidays will be a hardship,” said Library Director Sandy Cooper in a news release. "The Library Commission continues to try to balance the continuing reduction in revenue and its impact on staff, services, and the Library’s collections.”

So we want to know: Will the 10 day vacation affect your family over the holiday season? Do you use the library for holiday movies or reading material over these weeks, or are you busy spending time with family?


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