London Public Library cuts Sunday hours weeks after budget ask declined | CBC News

The London Public Library has suspended Sunday service for the rest of the year, according to a statement from library officials that was posted to the library website and social media.

It’s the first cut the library has made since it didn’t get the money it asked for in the municpal budget. 

Sunday service was a “value added” service which saw the Bostwick, Cherryhill and Masonville branches open on Sunday afternoons to provide space for programs and general library use, officials said.

“[The recent municipal budget] 100 per cent had an influence,” Brian Gibson, the chair of the library’s board, which oversees operations, said in an interview. “We have to be proactive in cost saving measures going forward. That’s our expectation with the budget.”

Library officials were vocal throughout the 2024 municipal budgeting process in its assertions that council’s failure to meet its requests for more money would result in service cuts and closures, including the potential permanent closure of the Carson and Glanworth branches.

In an interview with CBC News during the budget process, Mayor Josh Morgan said the library “catastrophized a bit” over the possible closure of the branches.

“We now have to start playing with impacts on our service that will benefit our budget and have the least impact on service to the public,” Gibson said.

Originally, Sunday service was supposed to run until May 7, before restarting in October of 2024. 

Now, with the service having ended early with no return scheduled, Gibson said an opportunity has arisen to gauge how important it is to patrons.

“I would love for people to e-mail the [library] board, email their city councillors, email the mayor, and give them their thoughts,” he said.

“If there’s an outpouring for Sunday service from the public, that will have an influence going forward, because public opinion matters.”