When the library levy failed to pass last fall, Kitsap Regional Library had to make some tough decisions to get its budget back on track. One solution, eliminating Sunday hours at its four largest branch libraries, took effect in February, leaving residents with only four hours of library access on weekends. The Bainbridge Library currently is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Until revenue changes, KRL can’t add hours and Bainbridge can’t add hours autonomously from the regional system, but it can tailor the hours available to meet user demand.

The trick, said Bainbridge branch manager Rebecca Judd, is to determine whether or not the community wants more weekend hours, and if so, which hours would need to be trimmed in order to extend the Saturday hours.

“We’re busy all the time,” she said. “The evening hours are convenient for commuters. In the mornings we see a lot of young families.”

To help paint an accurate picture of what the community wants, KRL is asking for input via an online survey or a written survey available at the Bainbridge branch.

“I don’t want to imply that the hours will change,” Judd said. The survey’s purpose is to assess the community’s desire to have more weekend hours. The questions relate to extending or changing Saturday hours and determining what hours might be cut from other days that will affect the least amount of users.

Judd said the library has received hundreds of responses, a volume that surpasses that of any previous survey.

“People really care about their library,” she said.

Judd said the Bainbridge branch will be accepting written comments through June 1.

The simple-to-use online survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/branchoperatinghours. Online surveys will be accepted through May 30.

For more information, visit www.krl.org or bainbridgelibrary.org.