Oakdale Library Will Be Closed Sundays and Mondays Next Year

The decision to close all Washington County libraries on Sundays and Mondays starting next year became official Tuesday after a vote by the board of commissioners.

“We’re all saddened,” said Patricia Conley, Washington County Library director. “I don’t think anybody advocates for this.”

The county was prepared for reduced funding from the state and planned to trim library hours, yet keep some, such as the Woodbury library, open seven days a week, Conley said.

But when Lake Elmo opted to back out of the Washington County Library system, deeper cuts became necessary, she said.

“Closing Sunday and Monday was due to losing the tax base from Lake Elmo,” Conley said. The total reduction from Lake Elmo’s decision is $260,000.

Library officials tried to transition the Lake Elmo branch to its “library express” service, like the one Hugo, Conley said, but the city wanted its library open more hours.

“We could not meet their expectations, so they fired us,” she said.

The Sunday and Monday reductions will impact 10 people and the equivalent of 5.5 full-time positions (220 hours of staff time).

The will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Library officials are not looking for sympathy and will work to maintain a high level of service, Conley said.

“We’re trying to do the best we can with what we have,” she said.

The new hours go into effect Jan. 1, 2012.