Salem Public Library to expand hours on November 10

Following community support for the May 2025 Salem Livability Levy, the City of Salem is expanding hours the Salem Public Library is open. Beginning November 10, both the Main Library and the West Salem Branch will be open longer to give the community more access to programs, services, and meeting spaces.

When is the Main Library open? Beginning November 10, the Main Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, will add evening hours Tuesday through Thursday. The Library will also be open on Sunday. New hours will be:

• 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

When is the West Salem Branch open? Beginning November 10, the West Salem Branch, 395 Glen Creek Rd. NW, will include an additional day and longer hours of service. New hours will be:

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday
• 12 p.m. -7 p.m. Wednesday
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday

New library open hours were set in response to a community survey that showed a strong preference for restored Sunday and evening hours at the Main Library as well as Monday hours at the West Salem Branch. Open hours at the Main Library will increase to 48 hours from 38 hours per week. Open hours at the West Salem Branch will increase from 10 hours to 21 hours per week.

Join an open house to celebrate! Open house celebrations are planned at each library location. The community is invited for treats from:

• 10 a.m. to noon Monday, November 10 at the West Salem Branch
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, November 16 at the Main Library

Why is this important? Services were cut in 2024 due to a large funding gap in the City of Salem General Fund caused by rising costs and statewide limits on property taxes. Library patrons reported inability to access Library services as a result.

Expanded service is made possible by the Livability Levy, passed by voters in May 2025. The levy allowed the Library to add three staff positions and to fill vacant positions. The levy also supports operations of Parks and Recreation and Center 50+ services to the community. Learn more about the Livability Levy proposal on the City's website.

A local option levy, lasting up to five years, is a temporary voter-approved property tax increase for specific services, like parks and libraries. Other communities often use similar levies to fund schools, public transportation, and other local services.

For more information about available services and programs at Salem Public Library, visit https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/library or contact library staff at [email protected] or 503-588-6315.