Libraries to Reopen Monday Afternoons Beginning February 6

By Amy Cavanaugh in News on Jan 21, 2012 8:00PM

The back and forth between Mayor Emanuel and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees over library hours continues. After accusing the AFSCME of using library cuts as a "bargaining chip" for other issues, and cutting branch hours earlier this month, Mayor Emanuel announced today that the branch libraries will be reopening on Monday afternoons. He made the announcement at a library in the West Pullman neighborhood.

The Sun-Times broke the story this morning, and the Tribune filled in some details this afternoon. In the latest plan, effective February 6, branch libraries will be open six days a week. Sixty-five laid-off union workers will be rehired and 25 others will be moved from the Harold Washington Library to staff the 76 branch libraries on Monday afternoons. Since the union workers being rehired are not librarians but part-time employees, Emanuel can change their work schedules without going through the union.