Knoxville, Tenn. (July 25, 2011) —  In response to requests from members of the South Knox County community, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett has instructed the Library System to add 13 hours of operation to the Howard Pinkston Branch Library schedule.  This will help offset the hours of service lost due to the closure of the South Knoxville Library following recent storms.

The idea of extending the hours at the Pinkston branch was first suggested during last Thursday’s constituent meeting at the South Knox Senior Center.

Effective immediately, the new schedule will add hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will open all day Friday.  The hours will remain in place until the South Knoxville Branch Library reopens, which is expected in late August. At that time, the schedule will return to its regular hours.

"Citizens in south Knox County are used to having easy access to our outstanding branch libraries, and the storm damage at the South Knoxville branch has created a need that I think can be alleviated by extending the hours at the Pinkston branch,” Mayor Burchett said.  “This is a good example of how Knox County Government can efficiently respond to citizens’ needs.”

The new schedule is as follows:

Monday: 9:30 - 5:30
Tuesday: 9:30 - 8:00 (2.5 additional hours)
Wednesday: 9:30 - 5:30
Thursday: 9:30 - 8:00 (2.5 additional hours)
Friday: 9:30 - 5:30 (8 additional hours)
Saturday: 10:00 - 5:30 

Howard Pinkston Library is located at 7732 Martin Mill Pike, and can be reached by telephone at (865) 573-0436.