Library hours will be increased in Dos Palos and Livingston starting January 13.
Merced County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the expansion of hours during Tuesday’s meeting at the Merced County Courthouse Museum.
Both libraries have been open part-time, at three days a week. Now, they will be open 40 hours a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
“By expanding the hours, we’re making the library more convenient for the residents to be able to come in and get the information that they need,” Merced County Librarian Amy Taylor said.
The Jerry O’Banion library in Dos Palos opened in May 2025. It was named after the former Merced County supervisor who served the area for 28 years.
“We have a brand new library there and the community wants to utilize it so I’m thankful that we’re able to do this,” said District 5 Supervisor Scott Silveira, who motioned to approve the item. Daron McDaniel, District 3 Supervisor, seconded the motion.
Merced County Library received a $2.7 million grant from the California State Library, called the Building Forward Infrastructure grant, plus a $3 million grant from the state for building the new library and renovating Del Hale Hall, an adjacent community center.
The Merced County Library has 28 full-time staff and 29 part-time staff, not including volunteers, according to Taylor. In September, the Merced County Board of Supervisors approved the addition of two staff — a librarian and library technician. It was this staff increase that helped the Dos Palos and Livingston libraries increase their hours.
Community feedback also propelled the increased hours.
Every library has comment cards where people can provide feedback, Taylor said. At the two locations, people have asked for more library hours.
Kimberly Arreola has worked for the Merced County library system for 10 years, and in Livingston four years now. She’s split her weeks at the library in Hilmar on the days the Livingston library is closed. In January, Arreola will permanently work at the Livingston library.
“There’s not a day that I don’t want to be here. Everybody’s become family,” Arreola said.
Merced County has 12 libraries across the county. Additionally, a bookmobile, or mobile library, serves areas without a physical library, like Winton and Planada.
On Christmas Eve and News Years Eve, all libraries will close at 5 p.m., which the supervisors also approved at Tuesday’s meeting.