Changes Beginning Oct. 1, 2009

Hours:

All branches have adjusted schedules. Click on a branch to view the new hours:

Main Library and Local History | West Regional Branch | Moorer/Spring Hill Branch | Parkway Branch
Theodore Branch | Toulminville Branch | Trinity Gardens | Saraland Public Library | Semmes Branch | Bookmobile

Check out periods:
Books, rental books, audio-books and CDs - 21 days.
DVDs and videogames - 7 days.

Rental Fees:
TV Series on DVD - $1.00 per week.
Movies on DVD or Video - $1.00 per week.
Videogames - $2.00 per week.
Rental books - $1.00 for 21 days.

Late Fees:
Overdues items - $.30 per day to a maximum of $7.00.

A Message from the Library Director About The Changes -

Dear Library Customers:

Mobile Public Library is faced with a loss in budget funds from the city, county, and state that, when coupled with rising costs, will result in a budget shortfall of over $690,000. We will, unfortunately, have to make some changes in our services and operations. The library staff and board have worked hard to minimize the impact of these changes, and we have avoided the complete elimination of any particular service.

Starting with the new budget year on October 1, the most visible changes will include:

Due to staffing reductions the operating schedules at all facilities will be altered. All libraries that are now open until 9 PM, will close at 8 PM. Other facilities will also have new, reduced operating hours. A complete guide to our new schedules is available at each library.
The library will also close for all city holidays and observe longer holiday closings. In the past we have attempted to limit our holiday closures, but currently we cannot afford the staffing and utilities costs to do this.
The standard four week loan period will be changed to a three week period for our book and audio collections. This shorter loan period should help books turn over more quickly, and during the course of a year more customers will have a greater chance to check-out items. This will help to partially offset the decline in our book budget.

In order to increase library income, we will implement the following:

Late fees will increase from 25 cents per day to 30 cents per day.
Maximum accrued fines will move from a total of $5 to $7 per item.
A rental fee of $1 per week will be charged for DVD television series.

The library staff, despite these changes, will continue to offer high quality customer services, and make available more than 700,000 items from our collections. We will also strive to improve our computer and online services and provide our citizens with access to outstanding research resources. Even within our compressed schedule, we will continue to deliver a variety of programs and educational opportunities.

Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,
Spencer Watts Library Director