News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2010

Matthews and Davidson branch libraries first to pilot extended hours

Charlotte, NC – Starting Monday, Sept. 13, Matthews and Davidson branch libraries will be open one additional day per week for six hours, due to an enhanced staff-led volunteer program and enthusiastic support from the town leaders of Matthews and Davidson.

This targeted push for volunteers was part of an interlocal agreement reached in June between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the municipalities of Matthews, Mint Hill, Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville. Participation from the towns was a condition for the Library to receive additional funding from the City of Charlotte for FY 2011, in a budget cycle where the library was facing up to a 50 percent reduction in funding. Due to the loss of approximately 183 library staff following budget reductions, the community libraries reduced hours from six days/66 hours per week, to four days/32 hours per week. The original target date for the launch of extended hours was October 1, but due to enthusiastic volunteers and library staffers, Matthews and Davidson will be open five days/38 hours per week starting Monday, Sept. 13.

“At a time when the library has experienced unprecedented budget and staff reductions, volunteers allow us to extend the work of our incredibly dedicated library staff,” said David Singleton, Director of Library Experiences. “Volunteers allow staff to devote more time to direct service to customers, such as materials check-out, technology assistance, homework assistance, job searching, and the implementation of library programs for all ages.”

In the spirit of cooperation and flexibility, the Library agreed to consider a request from the Town of Matthews to begin the extended hours program three weeks early. Said Mayor Jim Taylor, "I am very pleased that the Matthews branch will be one of the first to increase our library’s hours of service. This could not have happened without the tremendous response from citizens who have agreed to give back to their community library by volunteering. The Town of Matthews continues to be a strong leader in Mecklenburg County as we have shown how we have come together in order to maintain this valued asset we all cherish.” 

Davidson’s Mayor John Woods agrees, “Davidson citizens have always seen our public library as the heart of our community. We are thrilled with the response to the call for volunteers to supplement the library professional staff and allow the increase in hours of operation - the sooner the better! In addition, we are progressing very well towards our fund-raising goal to support our library. Both of these efforts speak loudly and clearly to our community's feelings about the importance of the library.”

Using volunteers for the purpose of extending library operating hours is unprecedented in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s history since its founding in 1903, and within the library profession as a whole. The library recognizes that a changing economic climate has created both challenges and opportunities. As a result, the Library reallocated some of its staff in order to place more attention on recruiting, training and managing more library volunteers.

Library Manager Michael Lambert, formerly manager of Independence Regional Library, now serves as a liaison between library staff and veteran Volunteer Coordinator Chauna Wall. Together the two have been holding volunteer orientation sessions at Davidson, Matthews, Cornelius and Mint Hill libraries. In addition, each branch library has enlisted both a library volunteer point person and a local community member to serve as a volunteer liaison for each municipality.

“The towns have been extremely supportive in helping us secure a local community member who took on the liaison role and worked collaboratively with the library staff to send out the call for volunteers,” said Wall. The town liaisons have also assisted with volunteer orientation sessions by supplying refreshments and encouragingcommunity leaders to recognize library volunteers and thank them for their service.

Since the enhanced volunteer program began, Matthews Library staff processed 138 applications and added 81 new volunteers to their volunteer numbers for a total of 90 volunteers. Davidson Library staff processed 72 applications and added 29 new volunteers, for a total of 41 volunteers. Library officials expect volunteer hours to exceed goals at the end of August.

New hours for Matthews and Davidson Branch Libraries starting September 13:

Mondays 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Extended Hours)
Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursdays CLOSED
Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays CLOSED

In related news, the Library will resume Sunday operations from 1-6 p.m., at Main Library and ImaginOn, beginning September 12. The Library began the practice of closing on Sundays during the summer months in 2009, as a cost-savings measure.