You Can Spend More Time at the Watertown Library This Summer

While libraries in some communities are cutting hours this summer, the Watertown Free Public Library is adding more hours, starting this weekend.

The library will be open seven days a week, and have extended hours on Friday evenings. Library Director Leone Cole said Watertown will now have among the most hours in the area.

“I would say if we don’t have the most, we are among the top few with the most hours,” Cole said.

Other communities, including Waltham, have cut their hours.

The additional hours have been something residents have wanted for years, Cole said.

“We have done a few surveys over the years and more hours is always a priority,” Cole said. “Now we are able to make it happen.”

The new schedule had to be negotiated with the library union, which was put into the contract signed in June. Town officials added $24,575 to the library salaries and overtime budget to cover the hours.

“We are really thrilled that the two sides could come together and figure out how we could satisfy the needs of the library users,” Cole said.

The hours will be covered by a mix of full time employees on a rotating schedule and part time employees, Cole said.

Until now the library’s summer hours were Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was closed on Sundays. Now it will be open all year round Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekday hours will remain Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.