The Concord Free Public Library is one of our town’s greatest treasures, serving as a cornerstone of education, community engagement, and intellectual enrichment. Reducing hours and closing the library on Sunday is a mistake and needs to be reconsidered.
The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library urge that the Fiscal Year 2026 town budget not include cuts that would close the library on Sundays, as was suggested in the latest budget presentation. Eighty-five percent of Concord residents have library cards, an outstanding high percentage that speaks to the library’s central role in our community. Demand for library services is strongest on weekends, with the highest number of checkouts per hour occurring on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesday afternoons. In 2024 alone, 8,686 items were checked out on Sundays.
The Main Library is currently open 38 Sundays a year, from October through mid-June, a schedule that aligns with the academic calendar and supports students preparing for finals. Closing the library on Sundays year-round would be a major setback for families, students, and lifelong learners who depend on weekend access.
While we recognize the need for fiscal responsibility and appreciate the work of Town Manager Kerry Lafleur and the Finance Committee in setting budget priorities, we strongly urge them to find alternative reductions that do not diminish access to one of Concord’s most valued institutions. The library is not just a building; it is a vital resource that strengthens our town’s educational and cultural fabric. Cutting its hours, particularly on the busiest days, would be a step in the wrong direction.
Concord can do better.
Matt Boger
Baker Avenue
President, Friends of the Concord Free Public Library
