Slippery Rock Community Library Director Karen Pierce (left) hands a brochure for an upcoming film series event to Laurie Karl of Slippery Rock.In response to community demand, the library is expanding its hours to 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.

SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Community Library is expanding its hours.

The library at 465 N. Main St. will open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.

“The community asked for more hours and more programs and we are happy to do it,” Karen Pierce, the library's director, said.

But in the meantime, the extended hours offer children a chance to use the library after school.

“We wanted to be there for children who needed homework help or who don't have Internet,” Pierce said.

Pierce said not everyone in the Slippery Rock area has access to the Internet.

“That can be a pretty big obstacle for children who are writing a research paper,” she said.

Pierce said she hopes to bring Slippery Rock University students to the library to help mentor and assist grade-school students with homework and studying.

“They can work with someone who can say 'It's OK, take a breath, and here are the steps to get this done,'” she said. “Some of the younger kids, it's just getting started on spelling words or reading an additional chapter.”

Pierce said the expanded hours also help the library fit in extra programs.