Shorter Library Hours Impacting Students

(Memphis) Last year, the Memphis City Council had to shorten the hours Memphis libraries are open because of budget cuts.

At some locations, this means closing at five instead of six and not opening at all on Fridays. 

“Basically we’re pushing the kids out into the streets. And that’s not good for the parents, the kids or the city,” said City Council Budget Chairman Jim Strickland. 

Strickland says cutting the hours could be preventing children from going to a safe place after school. 

“Many kids like to walk over to the neighborhood library, stay there and do their homework and study, until their parents get off work to pick them up,” said Strickland. 

Strickland said t would cost the city around $700,000 to restore the library hours. 

Tonya Davis says the library should be open for children needing to do work, but it’s not a babysitter, “They should have other means for there kids to go. Because you can’t really rely on the library to make sure your kids are OK.”

Strickland says next year, the council must find the money to restore the budget for the libraries.

At this point though, he’s unsure where that money could come from since the budget is still very tight.