Henry County libraries to cut hours as inflation strains budgets

After the new year, libraries in the Metro Atlanta area will have to reduce their operating hours.

Four out of five of Henry County libraries will close on Saturdays until further notice because of budget strains due to inflation.

“The library system has also been affected by inflation, and we have done everything in our power to reduce costs so that we can continue to provide the same quality service to our community that you expect and deserve,” read a news release from the library system. “The reality is that our current level of funding will not allow us to operate through the end of our fiscal year unless we reduce service hours.”

To keep their current operating hours, the library system said it would need $125,000 from county commissioners. The only library that will keep its current hours is Cochran Public Library due to its status as a Passport Acceptance Facility.

“It makes me feel despondent because there are some families who don’t have the means to go out and purchase books and so it was a really good outlet to be able to go to the library,” Monique Morris, a library patron, told Atlanta News First.

The affected libraries include:

• McDonough Public Library
• Fortson Public Library, Hampton
• Locust Grove Public Library
• Fairview Public Library

“This was an extremely difficult decision, and we are hopeful that additional funding may become available that would allow us to avoid service disruptions,” read the news release.