Chicago Libraries to Close All Day Most Mondays & Full Text of Memo to Staff Re: 2012 Policy Changes

From the Chicago Tribune:

Chicago’s branch libraries will be closed all day on most Mondays instead of being closed during the morning on most Mondays and Fridays, as Mayor Rahm Emanuel originally envisioned.
The change in plans, quietly announced this week, is the result of a stalemate between the city and the union representing library workers. The union has not agreed to a schedule that includes working two half-days a week. That setup would require library employees to work an extra day, if not more hours.
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Talks with the union initiated by the city in mid-December about reducing branch library hours “are still very much under way,” said Anders Lindall, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. “We have not refused or foreclosed on any proposal that the city has made.”
Jennifer Hoyle, an Emanuel spokeswoman, confirmed that talks continue, adding that the half-days cannot be implemented without union approval, so the branches will close all day on Mondays for the time being.

Read the Complete Report
See Also: Exclusive: Internal Public Library Memo Details Policy Changes (via Center Sq. Journal)
The full text of a memo by Laura Zupko, Assistant Commissioner for Collections, Chicago Public Library to staff about 2012 changes to CPL policies and procedures.
See Also: Video: Chicago branch libraries to close on Mondays (via WLS-TV)
Video runs 3:07.

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries