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(Image: Seattle Public Library)
Continuing staffing issues has the Seattle Public Library system pulling back on service and hours at branches across the city over the coming weeks:
Several factors have impacted the Library’s staffing capacity, including changes to the Library’s minimum staffing levels and increased leave usage. Our impacted staffing capacity has led to unplanned closures, as the Library must redirect staff from one location to another if a branch doesn’t have the right number, or right mix, of staff to open and operate a building safely and with full library services. The Library is working to bring on additional staffing support.
The SPL system is implementing “scheduled closures” at several branches including the Capitol Hill library through June 4th. The Capitol Hill branch is implementing noon openings on Thursdays and will now be closed on Sundays through June 4th.
SPL says the staffing situation will be reevaluated in May when details of “the Library’s schedule beyond June 4” will be announced.
Not every branch will experience cutbacks — the Central Library downtown will escape unscathed — but most are losing some amount of service.
The city’s library system, like many public services including area transit systems, has struggled with with staffing and changing workforce patterns as it has emerged from the pandemic. The system also implemented service cutbacks in 2022 during a summer workforce crunch.
The full roster of schedule changes is below.
Library schedule closures through Tuesday, June 4
- Central Library
- No planned closures
- Ballard Branch
- Beacon Hill Branch
- Closed Sunday, April 14, April 28, May 12 and May 26
- Broadview Branch
- Closed on Sundays through June 4
- Capitol Hill Branch
- Opening at noon on Thursdays and closed on Sundays through June 4
- Columbia Branch
- Closed Saturdays through June 4
- Delridge Branch
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
- Fremont Branch
- Closed Fridays through June 4
- Green Lake Branch
- Currently closed for seismic retrofit construction
- Greenwood Branch
- High Point Branch
- Closed Sundays through June 4
- International District/Chinatown Branch
- Closed Fridays through June 4
- Lake City Branch
- Closed Sundays through June 4
- Madrona Sally-Goldmark Branch
- Closed Wednesdays and Fridays through June 4
- Magnolia Branch
- Closed Sundays through June 4
- Montlake Branch
- Closed Tuesdays and Fridays through June 4
- NewHolly Branch
- Closed Mondays through June 4
- Northeast Branch
- Closed Fridays through June 4
- Northgate Branch
- Closed Saturdays through June 4
- Queen Anne Branch
- Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
- Rainier Beach Branch
- Closed Sunday, April 21, May 5, May 19 and June 2
- South Park Branch
- Closed Mondays through June 4
- Southwest Branch
- Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
- University Branch
- Wallingford Branch
- Closed Fridays and Saturdays through June 4
- West Seattle Branch
- Closed Fridays through June 4
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