Buncombe Libraries Add 36 Weekly Hours, Most Since 2020
Buncombe County Public Libraries announced on November 26, 2025 that beginning in January the system will add 36 operating hours, restoring and expanding service to 528 hours per week. The change reverses cuts made after Tropical Storm Helene and increases evening and morning access for residents across the county.
On November 26, 2025 Buncombe County Public Libraries unveiled a revised schedule that will expand system wide hours beginning in January. The system will operate 528 hours per week under the new plan, an increase of 36 hours and the largest expansion since 2020. The move follows a reduction from 492 hours per week to 416 hours per week after Tropical Storm Helene when the county implemented cost savings and a hiring freeze.
Key operational adjustments include a uniform 9 a.m. opening time at all branches, extended weekday service at Pack Memorial Library with Monday through Friday hours and three late evenings, and select nights with open hours extending to 7 p.m. The county and the library director framed the schedule as an effort to expand public access while maintaining operational sustainability. Staffing levels are reported to be near pre Helene levels and vacancies have been filled, officials said as they released the schedule.
The restored and increased hours will affect service patterns across the library system, improving morning access for commuters and students and increasing evening availability for workers, caregivers, and others who rely on libraries for internet access, study space, and programming. Cardholders will continue to have access to the system partnerships and resources highlighted in the announcement including Zoom Pass free admission offerings and other digital and onsite services.
The announcement comes as local governments nationwide reassess public library operations in the face of weather related disruptions, budget pressures, and workforce shifts. For Buncombe County the changes represent a reversal of temporary austerity measures implemented after Tropical Storm Helene and a recalibration toward fuller service. Residents who use library meeting rooms, educational programming, digital resources, or drop in for study and job search support should see more consistent hours beginning in January, with the county projecting the schedule will balance access with ongoing operational needs.
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