The Watha T. Daniel Library in Shaw. Photo by Ronnie R

As we wrote recently, D.C. has some beautiful new public libraries. The only problem is that they’re not open when people might want to use them most. Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) now wants that to change.

Yesterday Evans introduced legislation that would keep D.C. libraries open seven days a week and expand their hours of operation. His proposal would have libraries remain open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Evans said it would cost $10 million a year to expand operating hours.

Operating hours for neighborhood libraries were cut in late 2009 as the city faced a budget deficit. Sunday hours for neighborhood libraries were first to go, leaving only the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library to open on Sunday. Last year even those operating hours were threatened, though the $300,000 needed to save them for the year was found at the last minute. (This year, funds have been cut for school librarians.)

“Basic city amenities should be available to District residents seven days a week, especially as more people move here and we work to become a world class city,” said Evans in a press release. “I hear from residents around the District on a regular basis about our inadequate library hours and this bill is the first step in fixing the problem. I am confident that out of our $10 billion budget, we can find $10 million to make this a reality.”