County official says library branches won’t be closed

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPARKS -- A spokeswoman for Washoe County's library system says there are no plans to close any of its branches this year because of budget cutbacks.

Bonnie Saviers told the Sparks Tribune that library administrators have been forced to shift hours of operation and get creative with staffing in order to keep the system's 13 branches open.

The system's board met last week to consider proposed changes in the hours of operation at several branches, but only voted to revise the hours at Reno's Sierra View Library.

Beginning Sept. 6, the branch will move to five days of operation instead of six and reduce hours because of staff shortages.

County commissioners approved cuts of $337,000 to the system in May.