East Central Regional Library to reduce hours at six branches in response to 2026 funding decreases

The East Central Regional Library will reduce service hours at six branches in 2026 in response to funding decreases.

According to an update from the library system, Pine City, Hinckley, Sandstone, Cambridge, McGregor, and Aitkin will see reductions in hours starting Jan. 5.

The Pine City branch will open two hours later on Mondays and Wednesdays, at noon instead of 10 a.m., and will only stay open until 5 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

It will also be open a half-hour later on Saturdays, closing at 1:30 p.m.

The new hours at the other branches are as follows:

Sandstone

• Sunday: Closed

• Monday: Closed

• Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Thursday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Friday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Hinckley

• Sunday: Closed

• Monday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Wednesday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• Thursday: Closed

• Friday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cambridge

• Monday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Sunday: Closed

  
  

McGregor

• Sunday: Closed

• Monday: Closed

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Wednesday: Closed

• Thursday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Aitkin

• Sunday: Closed

• Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.