Sandra Storey
Saturday patrons of Jamaica Plain’s branch libraries—JP, Connolly and Egleston—will, along with patrons of all Boston branches, have to wait until Sat., Oct. 16 this year, it was announced by the Boston Public Library (BPL) on Wednesday.
Typically, the libraries open on Saturday for the school year, beginning the first Saturday after school starts, which would have been tomorrow, Sat., Sept. 11.
In an e-mail responding to Gazette questions, BPL spokesperson Gina Perille attributed the late opening to “pending layoffs due to budget reductions.” Currently, she explained, the BPL is going through the process of learning which staff members will be in which positions throughout the system, as is dictated by contract agreements with the two unions of the library. Called “bumping,” it is a seniority-driven process.
JP branches will be open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Oct. 16. The BPL web site shows current hours and will not be updated with Saturday hours until closer to Oct. 16, according to Perille.
The Central Library in Copley Square is open on Saturdays year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will begin additional Sunday hours on Oct. 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The JP Branch is at 12 Sedgwick St. near the monument. The Connolly is at 433 Centre St. in Hyde Square. Egleston is at 2044 Columbus Ave. in Egleston Square.