By Lookout Staff

June 24, 2026 -- Three branches of the Santa Monica Public Library will expand to full hours starting Monday, July 6 after the City Council last fall approved funding.

As part of the Realignment Plan, the Fairview Branch will be open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. The branch will discontinue Friday service and add full-service hours on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m.

The Montana Branch will be open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Th branch will add full-service hours on Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m., while self-service hours will continue Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Meanwhile, the Ocean Park Branch Library will be open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. after adding full-service hours on Tuesdays from noon to 8 p.m.

To celebrate the expansion of services, the Santa Monica Public Library will host an open house at the Montana Branch on Wednesday, July 8, from noon to 8 p.m.

Community members are invited to meet library staff and neighbors, enjoy refreshments and participate in activities for children and families, Library officials said.

“Expanding full-service hours at our branch libraries is another meaningful step in restoring and strengthening the services our community values most," said Erica Cuyugan, director of Library Services.

"Santa Monica Public Library is more than a place to check out books. It is a welcoming space for learning and connection.”

“We’re excited to continue restoring access across the system and to celebrate this milestone with our patrons and staff. I’m incredibly grateful to our library team and city leadership for their continued commitment to serving Santa Monica residents,” Cuyugan said.

The expanded hours come six months after the Fairview and Ocean Park Branch Libraries opened for full service in January for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown six years ago.

The full-service offerings include "librarian staffing, technical assistance, library services, programs, and events available to both the general public and library cardholders."

The expanded services are part of a two-year Realignment Plan approved by the City Council in October that invests $60 million to restore services, improve streets, boost public safety and support businesses.

For more information, visit smpl.org.