White Plains Library Looks at Expanding Hours

White Plains Public Library is fast becoming the city's unofficial town square.

Last year, the reading room tacked nine hours onto its weekly schedule. And now—if the current, preliminary city budget being discussed allows—the library will add another three hours to its weekly schedule.

"When we added evening hours last year, we saw a real marked increase in use," the library's director, Brian Kenney, told Patch.

Currently, the Martine Avenue library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays; Kenney is hoping to extend closing time to 9 p.m.

Kenney said the uptick in non-traditional hours was a boon for college students, families and resident on the hunt for jobs in the city.

"Our number one priority is to serve the community," he added.

The extra hours wouldn't be a strain on taxpayers' wallet, Kenney said, noting it wouldn't call for an uptick in funding—instead, in would rely on reshuffling existing monies.

"We can do it with our existing staff and funds," he said.

If the idea gain city approval, the Thursday hours would change in early July.