The Eugene Public Library is about to begin its next chapter.

The downtown library and its two branches will extend their hours starting Friday thanks to a five-year library property tax levy that city voters approved in November.

And there�s more. The levy money also will pay for more free library programs for all ages; more books (both print and digital), movies and other materials; and laptop computers available for checkout and on-site use at the Bethel and Sheldon library branches.

The cash infusion reverses cuts to library hours, services and staffing that came in the wake of a decision by the City Council to let the prior levy expire, and the Great Recession, which slowed the growth of property tax revenues to city government.

Library Director Connie Bennett sees the new levy revenue not so much as restoring what was lost but building for the future.

She said she�s thankful to voters for providing the opportunity. The levy passed with 52 percent of the vote.

�It�s very fulfilling because you know it�s for a good cause and it�s something people want and need,� she said.

Bennett and other library employees said patrons have been eagerly awaiting the start of the added hours.

Alec Chunn, a newly hired librarian for the branch libraries, said he�s noticed patrons taking photos on their smartphones of the signs announcing the new hours.

�They�re really excited about it,� he said.

Chunn is one of 20 new hires paid for by the levy. Another 10 existing part-time employees are working increased hours.

The added hours mean the downtown library will be open three hours earlier on Sunday.

Each of the branch libraries will be open 22 hours more each week, adding Monday hours and opening earlier on most of the other weekdays.

Anne Porter, a longtime employee at the Sheldon branch, said the earlier opening will be more convenient for patrons who have other errands to run on the weekday afternoons when the branches now open.

Visiting the Sheldon branch on Friday with her three children, Eugene resident Teresa Warner said she�s committed to using the library more this summer after cutting back, in part due to the limited hours.

Warner was unaware of the added hours starting next week until a reporter informed her.

�I�m thrilled beyond measure,� she said.

By September, each branch library plans to install a Laptops Anytime kiosk equipped with six laptops that cardholders can check out for on-site use. The aim is to double the Internet access at the branches for education, research and job training.

The library also will increase its annual materials budget by 35 percent � to $1.1 million from $800,000 � to purchase more books, movies and digital content. As a result, bookworms will wait less time to enjoy in-demand titles.

The library also will increase by one-third the number of free events it holds for all ages, with an emphasis on early literacy, including storytimes, teen activities and tools and skills training for individuals and small businesses.

The first year of the five-year levy is slated to bring in nearly $2.4 million in the budget year that starts July 1.

The levy�s first year is estimated to cost property owners 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $37 for a typical Eugene home with an assessed price of about $195,000.

Eugene had passed separate five-year library levies three times, starting in 1998 and with waning voter enthusiasm with each subsequent approval.

The levy initially allowed the city to open the two branches in 2000 and pay for expanded operations at the downtown library, which opened in 2002.

Following the levy�s final renewal in 2006, the council decided not to resubmit the levy to voters because its majority viewed the library as an important service that shouldn�t rely on voter support.

They had hoped the city�s general fund could pick up the extra expense through growth in property taxes and other revenues. But the strategy collapsed along with the economy and its slow recovery.

As the levy was phased out, the city cut the library�s annual budget from $11.2 million in 2009 to $10 million three years later.

The city cut hours at the branch libraries in 2012, reduced employees� hours and eliminated some positions.

The return of the levy has grown the library�s budget to $13.4 million in the coming budget year from $11 million during the fiscal year that ends Thursday. About three-quarters of the budget covers wages and other personnel costs.

Follow Christian on Twitter @RGchill . Email christian.hill@registerguard.com .