ROCKLAND – Two years after cuts to Rockland’s city budget forced a reduction in staffing to the library, effectively erasing a weekend day from the schedule, patrons still ask Library Director Amy Levine when Sunday hours will return.

“It will be nice to be able to give a date,” Levine said.

Now, with funding secured, staff hired, and training in place, she can finally give an answer.

Not much will change as personnel open the doors to Sunday readers January 7, 2018, according to Levine. Hours of operation will remain at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and at least some of the same staff will scan the bar codes and answer questions.

The finances needed for the resumed hours come from the Friends of Rockland Public Library and from the Rockland Public Library Endowment Association. The Endowment Association and its funds started as a result of the fundraising done for the library’s expansion and renovation project in the years 2000 and 2001.

“I did ask if they were going to make a commitment to continue this, because it didn’t make sense to open for a year and then not offer it again,” Levine said. “They both agreed that that was what they want to do.”

Because some staff members who’d previously worked the Sunday shift were not interested in resuming the position, or to work it regularly, Levine posted job openings and proceeded with the hiring process. Then there was training, which Levine said has been going on for a while.

“That [the job hiring] is what took so long,” she said of completing a process that began in budget workshop discussions a year ago.

Two staff members who have worked at the library full time in the past will alternate Sundays. Each shift has a leader. And three new employees have joined the payroll for staggered days and times. In total, each Sunday will have three staff members working.

Because of the limited staff, Levine plans to hold off on offering programs, or renting out rooms, on this day of the week.

However, in the future, should the Sundays become easier for staff, those programs that already draw the community inside during the week, may be permitted here as well.

Along with the regular Tuesday and Thursday evening movies and lectures, the Library has been a dropoff for the AIO Food Pantry food drive, as well as the Kno-Wal-Lin warm clothing tree which wraps up Friday, Dec. 15.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com