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ALBANY, GA. -- It’s a sad state of affairs at the Dougherty County Library System. Cuts in the budget means a cut in hours at all system branches.

“We currently have had a 10 percent cut in this year's budget. And in addition in next year's budget we will have a five percent cut, so a total of 15 percent,” said Teresa Cole, director of the libraries. “And in order to offset that loss we have had no choice but to look at the possibility of cutting hours.”

Starting July 6, every branch will now open half an hour later daily on Fridays the branches will close up at 2 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. On Saturdays opening time is at 2 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m.

On days when the Central and Northwest branches were open until 9 p.m., they will instead close at 8 p.m.

But while hours will be cut, jobs will be saved. Library officials said despite the cutbacks, all of their workers will be able to keep their employment status.

Cole says instead of laying-off workers they closed all open positions. But that does mean the libraries will be short of being fully staffed and current workers will have to pick up the slack.

“When you have vacant positions the work has to be done by fewer people. They've been working shorthanded for a while now, they are getting fatigued. They are doing a great job but they are starting to feel it now and in a way this will be good for them because they won't have to work so many long hours,” said Cole. “But we've managed to get everybody a full 40 hour week and they will be working somewhere in the libraries.”

Mary Neal has worked for the libraries for over 30 years and she says it will be good to have less work on the weekends, but feels bad for customers who rely on the libraries, particularly the computer lab.

“Especially the college students and the students until nine o’clock,” said Neal. “But I think they are willing to adjust their schedule by hours because they know what’s going on in the country. “

To get a complete schedule of the new library hours click here.