Tuscaloosa Public Library To Reduce Hours, Cut Programming

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Public Library on Monday announced that its Board of Trustees has voted to implement a series of cost-saving measures that will result in several changes to its day-to-day operations.

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Similar to efforts made in the not-too-distant past, the changes will go into effect on Dec. 1.

As part of the cost-saving measures, TPL will implement a hiring freeze, saying it will remove nine unfilled positions from the 2024 budget.

What's more, the library system plans a 15% reduction in the purchase of books and materials, which comes following a reduction of 30% last year. This will be in addition to reductions in TPL's programming budget, such as cutting the 2024 Summer Reading Program from eight weeks to four weeks.

The Tuscaloosa Public Library also announced the elimination of the Overdrive/Libby electronic database, which will result in the loss of over 40,000 digital titles.

TPL says these items will no longer be available for library users to access digitally through the Libby platform, while 13,000 of those titles will no longer be available to Tuscaloosa City Schools and Tuscaloosa County students through Overdrive’s SORA partnership — ending a partnership that has been in place for the last four years.

As has been the case with past cutbacks, the Tuscaloosa Public Library will adjust its hours at its Main Library, while also reducing hours for Brown Branch Library in preparation for it being permanently closed next year.

Hours at the Weaver-Bolden Library hours will remain unchanged.

TPL also mentioned its recent purchase of three book vending machines with America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from Tuscaloosa County, with the machines being placed throughout the county as the library system reimagines services.

Here's a look at the new hours for the Main Branch and the Brown Branch

Main Library:

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

Brown Branch Library:

• Monday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday-Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 1 p.m. -5 p.m.

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