Philly libraries could expand hours under new budget

The Free Library of Philadelphia is expanding hours and promoting e-lending to extend its reach.

Free Library President Siobhan Reardon says her goal is to expand hours and offer some weekend time for people to come into the library.

“We are going to open one library per councilmanic district a sixth day, so that will be 10 libraries will be open on Saturday and two additional libraries will be open on Sunday,” she explained.

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Philly libraries could expand hours under new budget

The Free Library of Philadelphia is expanding hours and promoting e-lending to extend its reach.

Free Library President Siobhan Reardon says her goal is to expand hours and offer some weekend time for people to come into the library.

“We are going to open one library per councilmanic district a sixth day, so that will be 10 libraries will be open on Saturday and two additional libraries will be open on Sunday,” she explained.

Reardon says the expanding online operation will not replace paper books.

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“We have a long long, long, long, long way before you see the tactile material disappear, but so we’re in this moderating zone right now, knowing we have to go in the direction of far more electronic databases and e-material.”

The library offers trouble-shooting sessions every Tuesday afternoon to help people borrow e-books to read on their phones and tablets.

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