Sunday Library Closing Was Necessary
In the Sample Ballot and Voter Information pamphlet, Conrad DeWitte claims that closing the Fullerton Public Library on Sundays resulted in a 40% loss of the service hours available to students and working people. Prior to the Sunday closing, the library was open 63 hours per week. Now, after Sunday closing, it is open 59 hours per week--a reduction of four hours. Students and working people, of course, are not able to use the library during school and working hours, but the late afternoons, evenings and Saturday are still available. A four-hour reduction in hours open does not begin to approach a 40% loss of hours available.
The decision to close Sundays was made prior to the time Mr. DeWitte joined the library board of trustees. It was done with great reluctance, and only after a survey of library patrons showed clearly a preference for Sunday closing over any other day or combination of partial closings on more than one day.
It seems to me that Mr. DeWitte’s zeal to open the library on Sundays is misplaced. To do so, with our reduced budget, would further restrict our ability to purchase books and provide the services now available.
WILLIAM R. KINCAID
Chairman,
Fullerton Library Board of Trustees
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