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Seattle libraries start Sunday hours

Erin Hennessey
/
KPLU

Starting January 6, every branch of the Seattle Public Library will be open on Sundays. Library officials said it’s the first time in at least 100 years.

The extra hours come courtesy of Seattle voters, who approved a 7-year, $122 million property tax levy in August. The new money reverses years if cutbacks, and will allow every library location to open its doors from 1:00 to 5:00 Sunday afternoons. Library programs director Stephanie Chase said it’s gratifying to be adding services for a change instead of scaling them back.

“Sunday hours were a big request from patrons. To be able to really directly respond to that is such a rewarding experience to be part of,” Chase said.

The library will celebrate the new schedule over the course of winter and spring with special events at each location that’s adding Sunday hours.

The levy money will enable other improvements, too. Chase said the system plans to bolster its collection, overhaul its fleet of computers and add media production workstations at several library locations.

Gabriel Spitzer is a former KNKX reporter, producer and host who covered science and health and worked on the show Sound Effect.