Neena Satija Photo
When their story time was interrupted for an announcement, children cried out. When the library chief announced new Saturday hours, they joined their in happy applause.
The message delivered by Christopher Korenowsky, New Haven Public Library’s executive director, was clear: New Haven’s branch libraries will now be open on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m.
Surrounded by city library officials, Korenowsky interrupted a reading of “10 Little Caterpillars” to twenty or so kids and a few parents at the library’s Mitchell branch in Westville in order to deliver the “tremendous news” Thursday morning. But if the kids displayed any irritation, it melted away after parents received Korenowsky’s announcement with warm applause.
“We come here because it’s such a great place for kids,” said Louisa D’Amore, who was at the library that day with her husband, Giuseppe and their 2‑year-old, Jack.
It’s been years since New Haven branch libraries were open every Saturday. As the city dealt with a growing budget deficit, the library system began rotating Saturday hours throughout the branches each week. Then, this past February, any weekend hours for all but the downtown branch were cut altogether.
“It was a little demoralizing,” said D’Amore of the February change. Now, her family will make it to the library as many weekends as they can. They live just down the street.
The next step is restoring evening hours for the branches, said Korenowksy. He hopes to add at least one more night a week for each of the non-downtown library locations.
The Fall 2011 hours are as follows:
Fair Haven Branch, 182 Grand Ave., Monday & Tuesday 10:00 – 6:00, Thursday 12:00 – 8:00, Saturday 12:00 – 5:00.
Mitchell Branch, 37 Harrison Street, Monday 12:00 – 8:00, Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 – 6:00, Saturday 12:00 – 5:00.
Stetson Branch, 200 Dixwell Ave., Monday & Tuesday 10:00 – 6:00, Wednesday 12:00 – 8:00, Saturday 12:00 – 5:00.
Wilson Branch, 303 Washington Avenue, Tuesday 12:00 – 8:00, Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 – 6:00, Saturday 12:00 – 5:00.
Main Library, 133 Elm Street: Monday 12:00 – 8:00, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 – 8:00, Friday & Saturday 10:00 – 5:00.
I'll bet my entire life savings that he mayor cuts the hours within 6 months of his reelection. Any takers?