Library system launching pilot Sunday hours Dec. 1 in Concord
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 19, 2024) — The Contra Costa County Library is piloting a new program in December that is designed to give patrons access to the Concord Library on Sundays when the branch is normally closed.
Patrons interested are required to attend an orientation. Library spokesperson Brooke Converse noted 40 people had signed up as of Monday, Nov. 18, and the first seven had completed the first orientation held on Nov. 16.
The library manager advises those who are interested in attending an orientation should contact the Concord Library directly.
Patrons who sign up for the service in advance will be able to enter the Concord Library between noon and 4 p.m. on Sundays beginning December 1. There will not be any staff on site, but two security guards will be present to ensure that only patrons who have signed up for the service are entering the library.
Library officials will assess the pilot program after six months and consider expansion.
Alternative solution
“We know our patrons would like the libraries to be open more and especially on Sundays,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “We don’t have the budget to staff the libraries on Sundays, but this pilot offers an alternative solution that, if successful, could expand to other branches in the future.”
Patrons can browse the collection and check out books, return items, pick up holds, connect to Wi-Fi, and use the space for studying or reading.
Services not available will include computers, printing, scanning, and photocopying, restrooms, LINK+ pickups, and returns, use of the community meeting room, and the Friends bookstore.
To sign up for the service, patrons must have a library card in good standing, a valid ID, attend an in-person orientation, and sign the user agreement. Approved patrons will scan their library card at the door and use a unique PIN code to enter.
The first open Sunday will be December 1, but patrons must sign up for the service in advance. Sign-ups are available now. To get started visit, ccclib.org/self-service-sundays.
David Scholz
David Scholz is back in journalism as a freelance writer and photographer after nearly two decades in education. Prior to moving into teaching in 2000, he worked as a full-time journalist since 1988 for rural community and small daily newspapers in Central Ohio and Northern Nevada, and later in California with The Business Journal in Fresno and dailies in the Bay Area, including The Oakland Tribune and The San Francisco Chronicle. More recently Scholz also worked in an editing, writing, and page layout role with the Rossmoor News.