The Chelsea and Columbiana public libraries have changed their operating hours.

The Chelsea public library will now be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Aug. 5.

Library Director Dana Polk said adding Saturday to the library&8217;s schedule was an answer to increased public demand.

&8220;So many people asked &8216;when will you get around to opening on Saturdays?&8217;&8221; said Polk. &8220;I&8217;m glad we were able to give people what they wanted.&8221;

Polk says she hopes the library will be able to expand its hours further by the end of the year.

Current weekday hours will remain the same: Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Columbiana Public Library also has temporarily stopped its late Tuesday and Thursday evening hours.

&8220;We are just not able to hire anyone right now,&8221; said Library Director Jane Bailey. &8220;As soon as we are not longer short staffed we will be open for our regular hours again.&8221;

Bailey said she doesn&8217;t know when the library will be able to hire an additional 15-hour-a-week employee, saying it could be after the new fiscal year begins in October.

The library&8217;s temporary schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.