Library shelves Saturday hours to save money

Financial hard times have caught up with the Hamtramck Public Library. For now on, the library will be closed on Saturdays.

By Charles Sercombe

Like so many public institutions, Hamtramck’s Public Library is feeling the financial pinch.

In order to save money, the library will from now on be closed on Saturdays. Library Director Tamara Sochacka said the Saturday closing is, hopefully, temporary.

“We have to get more funds,” she said, “and then we should be open soon.”

The library’s annual operating budget is $460,000 a year. The Saturday closing will save $2,000 per month.

Despite the Saturday closing, Sochacka said she expects to run into deficit spending this year. In the meantime, she said, she and her staff are looking into grants to offset costs.

The library was hit with a decrease in property taxes collected and a cut in state financial aid.

On Saturdays, the library was open only for four hours. Sochacka said about 60 patrons used the library on Saturdays, and doubts anyone will mind the closing.

It could be a lot worse for the city. In Highland Park, the city was forced to close its one and only library several years ago.