By Jason C. Mattox
Three local branches of the First Regional Library System in Panola County have had their hours cut effective October 1.

“I’m sad to say that it has everything to do with funds,” First Regional Director Catherine Nathan said. “The Panola County Supervisors did all they could do apparently, but our budget was short as Sardis, Como and Crenshaw could not increase their contributions.”

Nathan said the library in Batesville will see no reduction in hours.

“The City of Batesville came through the $198,000 in their budget for the library,” she said. “So the hours cut will not affect them.”

Nathan said the proposal to cut hours went before the board and was approved.

“We did what we had to do to lower expenses and still have good operation hours for the people in the effected communities,” she said. “These were difficult decisions, but we had to be fiscally responsible in this economic downturn.”

New library hours:

Emily Jones Pointer Public Library (Como)
Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday: noon – 6 p.m.
Friday: noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – noon

Sam Lapidus Public Library (Crenshaw)
Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.
Friday: noon – 6 p.m.

Sardis Public Library
Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday: noon – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday: noon – 6 p.m.
Friday: noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday: noon- 2p.m.