Library should consider other options

To the editor:

The Gazette reported that in order to reduce their budget to equal income, the Cedar Rapids Public Library has asked the city council to permit them to close the main library on Sundays and the west side branch on Saturdays ('Cedar Rapids library cuts hours,” Jan. 8). This would accommodate employees who would prefer to not work on the weekends. However, most people with jobs are off only on weekends. Weekday evenings often conflict with family responsibilities at home.

The library board proposal has the effect of preferring employees to patrons.

Library patrons who are off work on weekends don't need evening hours those days. Patrons who do not have outside jobs don't need library availability every weekday.

So, let both library locations be open weekends until 5 p.m. Open all weekday evenings. Close one location Monday-Tuesday and the other Wednesday-Thursday.

Ron Moore

Cedar Rapids