But is it better to open a library on Saturdays only to close it a few months later?
That was the dilemma before the Palo Alto City Council Tuesday night when it voted unanimously to reopen the Downtown Library on Saturdays. However, the council faces a $5.2 million deficit for 2005-2006, leaving such services likely targets for cutbacks come June.
"I wish that we weren't in that place," Councilwoman Dena Mossar said. "I want to put on the record that this council member makes no commitment to the public that I will continue to support Saturday hours at the Downtown Library."
The council's mixed message regarding the Downtown Library reflects a larger uncertainty about the fate of all of Palo Alto's branches.
In December, the council rejected a proposal from City Manager Frank Benest and Library Director Paula Simpson to close two of the city's libraries -- the Downtown and College Terrace branches -- to improve service at the other three.
During Tuesday's council meeting it became obvious the elected officials were unclear about what their policy vote in December reflected: Was it a clear rejection of the idea of closing branch libraries or just a temporary rejection until another plan is formulated?
In December, the council asked the Library Advisory Commission to devise a plan to build a new full-service facility that still "distributed" library service in the city. The term "distributed," however, has yet to be specifically defined.
"I, for one, am willing to look at closing libraries in the future," Mossar said.
With this week's vote on the Downtown Library, the council again sided with library advocates against Benest, who recommended the council save the funds. "We don't believe this should be a stand-alone decision," Benest told the council.
The fate of the Downtown Library's Saturday status has been an open question for months. In September, the Library Advisory Commission recommended the Downtown Library reopen on Saturdays.
Councilwoman Hillary Freeman asked why it took nearly four months for the matter to come before the council. Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison said it was because city administrators wanted to wait until the council made a policy decision about libraries in general before bringing the smaller issue to the forefront.
The small library has been closed on weekends since budget cuts in 2003. Since that time, its neighbors and the Friends of the Palo Alto Library have pushed for it to reopen on Saturdays, arguing that's when most people have the time to actually use the facility.
The Downtown Library will reopen on Saturdays in about a month, after a half-time librarian is promoted to a full-time position. Mayor Jim Burch expressed regret that the promoted employee may have to be demoted in July.
Once the change is made, the library will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Staff Writer Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com.
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