Chicago Public Library Locations Will Now Be Closed On Mondays

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 5, 2012 11:00PM

Looks as though budget cuts are hitting the Chicago Public Library where it hurts. CPL announced yesterday via Twitter that all library locations would be now open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

CPL is citing budget cuts that led to layoffs for the decision to close on Mondays. The move, they say, will allow them to maintain services, but with fewer staff.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed 2012 budget included significant cuts to the library system, which led to librarians and supporters of the system to start a campaign to block the cuts. 28 aldermen also sent Emanuel a letter that expressed hope he would reconsider.

Emanuel seemed to have reversed his stance on those budget cuts, but CPL Director of Marketing and Press Ruth Lednicer told Chicagoist that was with the caveat there would be labor concessions.

As for now, there haven't been any.

"While Mayor Emanuel announced his goal to only have libraries close on Monday and Friday mornings," Lednicer said, "this decision was made while those negotiations were ongoing so that we could staff our branches and still provide services."

Lednicer stopped short of saying the decision to close on Mondays would be permanent, as it's possible that the City and labor can come to an agreement to restore Monday hours. "The bright side to this is that we didn't lose any locations," she said.

In the meantime, do check CPL's branch locator web page for the hours and operations of local branch.

Correction: We did not mention that the Harold Washington Library, Sulzer Library in Lincoln Square and Woodson Library would remain open on Mondays. We regret the omission.