Beginning January 11, most Montgomery County Public Libraries will close their doors on Sundays, allowing only nine regional branches to remain open.
This adjustment, as clarified by Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Darcell Graham, is not motivated by budget issues.
“The primary reason is related to staffing,” Graham explained to WTOP. “We aim to provide a better level of service.”
She noted that on Sundays, the library system operates with minimal staff, merely keeping the doors open without the capability to deliver the comprehensive set of services available from Monday to Saturday.
“Our goal is to offer more than just basic access,” she emphasized.
Graham indicated that the library system has received considerable feedback from the community, and in general, people appreciate this decision.
Families rely heavily on the resources and services the libraries provide, she mentioned, adding that the significance of libraries shifted in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They are no longer just places for homework; they’ve evolved into community gathering spots,” where families often come together to spend quality time.
“It’s truly wonderful to witness,” she added. “Our programs see tremendous involvement, especially those aimed at families.”
According to Graham, the decision to close on Sundays is not set in stone.
“We are committed to exploring future opportunities for expansion,” she stated, noting that the library system’s new mobile outreach van could be utilized in a rotating fashion to reach communities near the libraries that will not operate on Sundays.
In 2022, Montgomery County introduced Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at nearly every library, with the exception of the Noyes Library in Kensington and the Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville.
Out of the 24 library systems in Maryland, Graham noted that only seven of the eight which provide Sunday services do so from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
One new benefit for library users will be the ability to use library copiers for free to print up to 15 pages.
“This will especially be helpful during tax season, allowing community members to print necessary documents,” Graham said.
Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will remain available at the following libraries:
- Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library, Silver Spring
- Connie Morella Library, Bethesda
- Gaithersburg Library, Gaithersburg
- Germantown Library, Germantown
- Olney Library, Olney
- Rockville Memorial Library, Rockville
- Wheaton Library, Silver Spring
- White Oak Library, Silver Spring
- Long Branch Library, Silver Spring
Graham stated that these adjustments will enable better staffing at the libraries that will continue to be open on Sundays.
