Library to adjust hours beginning in 2026

The Coshocton County District Library will change hours of operation beginning Jan. 2.

Hours of operation will be as follows:

—Coshocton County District Library: Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (previously 8 p.m.), Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

—West Lafayette Branch Library: Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (previously 7 p.m.), Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Nov. 19 the library shared its 2026-30 strategic plan. The plan includes a review of operational hours over the 2026-30 span.

Director Jennifer Austin said, "The library team and board of trustees take serving the countywide population very seriously."

During the research phase of the strategic plan, exploring hours of operation was a recurring theme from patrons and staff.

"We looked at current hours of operation and compared those hours to report averages for visits and circulation," Austin said.

The reports showed limited use Monday through Wednesday at the Coshocton location from 7-8 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. at the branch.

"We want to be good stewards of library funds, so if something isn't working or isn't popular, we want to save those resources, whether it be time, team members or funds, and shift those resources toward better meeting needs,” Austin said.