Most Kitsap Regional Library branches, including those in Port Orchard and Manchester, will have new hours of operation, effective July 17.

“(Kitsap Regional Library) hopes that the new schedule will give the public greater opportunity to access library branches when they find it most convenient,” said Jeff Brody, Kitsap Regional Library’s director of community relations.

The library will stay open for the same total number of hours each week, and operate at the same cost as before. But the libraries’ hours of operation will change.

The Port Orchard Library’s opening will be pushed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, and it’s closing time will be pushed back from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Saturday hours will change from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In Manchester, the library’s closing time will move from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Saturday hours will shift from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Each of Kitsap Regional Library’s branches, except Silverdale and Kingston, will see similar changes in schedule.

“We are changing hours based on the results of our public survey,” said Jill Jean, the library’s director. “While keeping the library’s emphasis on service to children and families and the support of lifelong learning, we are trying to establish a schedule that best meets the needs of each of our communities.”

The library could change their schedule again, if that’s what their patrons want.

“The system will continue to monitor library use at each branch and will not hesitate to suggest other schedule changes in the future if it looks like there are ways to better serve the public by making further changes,” said Jean. “Unfortunately, the financial situation dictates that we can’t add hours, but we can adjust what hours we are open to make sure we’re open when it is most helpful to the public.”

The new library hours, effective July 17, are as follows:

Port Orchard

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Manchester

Sunday:Closed

Monday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.