Opinions were split in this week’s online poll on whether the library should be open more hours. About 44 percent said the library didn’t need to be open more hours, while about 35 percent said it should be. About 21 percent weren’t sure.
The majority of those responding also said they went to the library at least two or more times a year, though about 40 percent said they never went. About 31 percent of those responding said they went weekly.

Here were some of the comments.
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“I would like to see a few more hours for those who work and go to school — maybe another evening during the week or additional weekend hours. It is very obvious that the library is important to the whole spectrum of our society and the system deserves all the support we can give it.”
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“I haven’t heard anyone complaining about the library hours so what they have now must be working.”
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“Close them all and take the money to lower property taxes.”
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“Maybe it should beclosed Saturday and open Monday.”
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“We need it open for school research.”
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“Unfortunately we stopped using the library altogether because it has become a homeless encampment.”
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“We have a great library system. The reserve system is my go-to for keeping up-to-date on both fiction and nonfiction. Petaluma branch staff are friendly and helpful. Now that I am accustomed to Monday closures, I think the hours are great.”
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“Reopening on Mondays would be nice. Opening at 9 am. would be better than 10 a.m. on weekdays. And how about until 5 p.m. on Saturdays? A library is an important resource for an informed citizenry in a democracy.”
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“The homeless outside, and the gangbangers inside….too dangerous for me.”
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“The library should be closed. It is a homeless shelter. Men use the computers for pornography. I have never felt so disgusted in a library before. I would never take my two children there.”
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