One Day at a Time for Oakdale Library

Washington County is looking to restore Monday hours at the five biggest libraries in its system, including Oakdale.

At the start of 2012, the county library system eliminated Sunday and Monday service.

It would take funding shifts in the county budget and additional revenue from the taxpayer and elections department to come up with the estimated $236,000 to reopen on Mondays; another $12,000 to $13,000 would be needed for other library service, said Pat Conley, library director.

She’s hoping to get 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. hours back on Mondays at the large county libraries.

There were discussions about having the Sunday hours restored as well, she said.

“More hours are better,” Conley said. “But right now we have to be realistic about what people are going through.”

Woodbury, Forest Lake and Cottage Grove—the three largest branches—could be open on Sundays for $90,000 a year, according to a Pioneer Press report.

Additional staffing would be needed if Monday service is eventually restored, Conley told Patch. The reduction in hours this year was coupled with leaner staffing, and while she lauded the work of librarians and clerks, “it’s been stressful for them.”

Conley said the prospects for seeing the open on Mondays next year are good.

“Everybody seems positive, so I’m very optimistic,” she said.

Commissioner Gary Kriesel said the county board does not want to increase taxes, but he was optimistic about having Monday service restored, according to the Pioneer Press story.

"I am sure we will find a way,” he said.

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