Editorial: Should the library open on Sunday?

When The Daily Post covered a Rotorua District Library open day during a weekend at the end of July last year, we reported it was the first time the library had been open on a Sunday since the 1920s.

The open day was possible because staff had volunteered their time.

Staff told our reporters at the time that the library wasn't normally open on Sundays because of funding restrictions.

But now, in its draft long-term budget plans, the council is looking at a proposal for the library to open for four hours on Sundays.

The issue has arisen before. In 2008 we reported Rotorua District Council finance committee chairman Charles Sturt questioning the need for Sunday opening, requested in submissions to that year's annual plan, as the council looked for cost savings amid the global financial crisis.

Councillors this week told manager Jane Gilbert the library could open on Sundays but there would be no extra funding for staff - it would have to come out of her current budget.

The councillors must feel current staffing is such that creative rostering could enable the extra day and the ball seems to be back in the library's hands.

The practicalities of that aside, Sunday opening would be a welcome move, especially for those who can't get to the library during the working week.

For many, Sunday is a day of leisure and relaxation - and for a lot of people a trip to the library fits that bill nicely.

One bonus would be the ability for families to go together, which some would struggle to do weeknights or sporting Saturdays.

Rotorua's library is open from 9.30am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 4pm Saturday.

Out of interest I looked up the opening hours of public libraries in five other centres.

Those in Tauranga, Nelson, Wanganui, Whangarei and Hamilton all open on a Sunday for between three and five hours.

But it's interesting to note all except Hamilton and Wanganui close earlier during the week.

Perhaps therein lies the answer. Those who use the library in the evening would be disadvantaged by earlier closing during the week, but others would benefit from it being open the extra day.

Our feedback online so far has been mixed. In our poll 81 per cent support Sunday opening but some on our Facebook page say they're against seven-day trading and librarians should have the day off. Another comment notes that for people who work all day it is the only time they can visit.

But what do you think? Vote in our poll and comment below.