Extended hours announced for Riverside public libraries, reflecting community feedback

Starting August 4, the Riverside Public Libraries will be extending their hours of operation to better accommodate the needs and desires of the local community. The decision to expand the hours was made following significant interest shown by Riverside residents during a community engagement survey conducted in 2022.

Erin Christmas, the Library Director, expressed her enthusiasm about the new schedule, stating, “We are thrilled to expand Library hours. Sunday and evening hours will increase access to our spaces, programs, and resources for all Riverside Library customers.”

The community’s response to the survey indicated a strong desire for more weekend hours across all locations and extended weekday evening hours for the Main Library. Many community members have expressed excitement about the expanded schedule, as it will allow greater access for those who work during typical business hours.

The library system has seen increased usage across all locations as residents emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a growing desire for more opportunities to engage with library services and resources.

The new hours for all Riverside Public Library locations are as follows:

• Sundays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (Main Library only)

These changes are in line with the library’s ongoing effort to enhance the experience for Riverside residents by providing more opportunities for community engagement.

Riversiders can access services at one of the eight library branches throughout the city. For more information about the library’s services, events, and resources, residents are encouraged to visit the official Riverside Public Library website at riversideca.gov/library.