Fort Garry parent laments loss of library mornings amid pending changes across Winnipeg system

One Winnipeg parent says impending cuts to operating hours at her local library branch will leave her and her children with fewer options, even as the City of Winnipeg is increasing hours across the library system.

Carla Epp and her four children, ages four to 10, visit the Fort Garry Library at least once every week, usually in the morning. In addition to checking out books, music and movies, Epp and her children participate in programming, including a recent session on engineering.

After new library hours take effect after Labour Day, Epp will have three fewer mornings available, as opening hours at the Fort Garry Branch are pushed back from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

"We visit in the mornings almost exclusively," Epp said.

"It limits our options a lot. And for anybody with young kids, it's very frustrating to not be able to go when they're awake. Lots of kids nap, lots of kids go to bed at like 6 p.m., and so afternoons and evenings are not the ideal time to be visiting the library."

The City of Winnipeg announced changes to library hours as part of the 2024 budget.The changes increased operating hours by 12 per cent overall, allowing all 20 branches to open on Wednesdays year-round, and increasing the number of branches open on Sundays.

While the changes will result in a net gain in operating hours at most Winnipeg library branches, seven branches are set to lose hours during the 37-week period from Labour Day to Victoria Day, and five would lose hours during the 15-week summer period.

That includes the Fort Garry Library, which would lose a total of six hours per week during both the summer and winter periods.

Epp, who works as a librarian at the University of Manitoba, supports the city's efforts to increase hours, but says it shouldn't come at the expense of some users.

"I think it is really unfortunate that they are offering hours to some people at the expense of other people. Libraries need to be funded properly so that nobody is losing out," she said.

Confusing hours

The increases to library hours followed a report last fall, that found Winnipeggers were frustrated by confusing hours and a lack of access.

The report called for the city to hire more library staff and increase funding by around $11 million between this year and 2027.

The report also found that Winnipeg libraries were open fewer hours on average per day, and fewer hours total throughout the year, than other major Canadian cities like Edmonton, Regina and Hamilton.

"If you look at libraries across the country, we are poorly funded, poorly resourced, we have far fewer programs," said Epp.

"We just don't offer nearly as much. And it's one of the few free things, free resources, free places. It's an equalizer for people."

In the report from last fall, it pointed out the city had seven sets of hours across 20 branches in the fall/winter period, and six sets of hours during the summer. The changes were meant to increase consistency across branches.

"The average number of hours per library varies widely, offering some communities better access than others, regardless of demand and usage," libraries manager Karin Borland wrote in the report.

"There is a lack of consideration for equity, adversely affecting branches with smaller square footage even when located within neighbourhoods with high poverty."

A spokesperson for the City of Winnipeg said Borland was not available on Tuesday. New hours for branches, beginning Sept. 3, will be posted soon, the spokesperson said in an email.