St. Paul extended library hours start March 1

Seven St. Paul libraries will be open later on Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting March 1, Library Director Kit Hadley told members of the City Council Wednesday.

The Dayton's Bluff, Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, Merriam Park, Rice Street, Riverview and St. Anthony libraries will stay open until 8 p.m., instead of 5:30 p.m.

The council last month overrode a veto from Mayor Chris Coleman to institute the extended hours.

Coleman objected to the funding plan, which tapped $345,000 in parking ramp revenues. He argued that money wouldn't be sufficient to cover cost of the additional employees in future years.

The city will need to add the equivalent of 6.5 full-time employees to its payroll to staff the libraries. Most of the jobs will be "extremely part time," Hadley said.

New Sunday afternoon hours will also go into effect at the Merriam Park branch. Those weren't part of the funding dispute.

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