Are Public Libraries Open on Sundays?

Some public libraries open on Sunday afternoons; many smaller ones close. Here’s how Sunday hours usually work — with real examples — and how to check yours.

By Megan Carter, Library Resources Editor · Updated August 7, 2026

The short answer

It depends on the library. Larger city and county libraries often open for limited Sunday afternoon hours — commonly around 1:00–5:00 pm — especially central libraries and busy branches. Smaller town and rural libraries are usually closed on Sundays (and sometimes Mondays too). Sunday hours are also the first to change on holiday weekends and in summer, so it’s always worth checking.

Real examples of libraries open on Sunday

Here are real public libraries with verified Sunday hours from our directory (click any to see full hours and location):

Library	City	Sunday hours
Homewood Public Library	Birmingham, AL	2 PM – 6 PM
Fayetteville Public Library	Fayetteville, AR	1 PM – 5 PM
Main Library	San Francisco, CA	12 PM – 6 PM
Kent County Public Library	Dover, DE	1 PM – 5 PM
Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library	Washington, DC	1 PM – 5 PM
Kaimukī Public Library	Honolulu, HI	9 AM – 4 PM
Boise Public Library	Boise, ID	10 AM – 2 PM
Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library	Indianapolis, IN	1 PM – 5 PM
Long Branch Library	Silver Spring, MD	10 AM – 6 PM
Ann Arbor District Library: Malletts Creek Branch	Ann Arbor, MI	10 AM – 8 PM
Saint Paul Public Library - Arlington Hills	St. Paul, MN	1 PM – 5 PM
St. Louis County Library – Mid-County Branch	St. Louis, MO	1 PM – 5 PM

How to check your library’s Sunday hours

Hours change, so confirm before you go: check your library’s own website or its page in our directory, or call ahead. If you mainly need digital access, remember your library never really closes online — you can borrow e-books and use your state’s free online library any day of the week with a library card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are public libraries open on Sundays?

Many larger city and county libraries open for limited Sunday afternoon hours (often around 1–5 pm), while smaller town libraries are usually closed on Sundays. Always check your specific library.

What time do libraries open on Sunday?

When open on Sundays, U.S. public libraries most commonly run a short afternoon schedule such as 1:00–5:00 pm, though larger systems may open earlier.

Can I use the library online on Sundays?

Yes. Even when the building is closed, you can borrow e-books and audiobooks and use your state’s free online library 24/7 with a library card.

Megan Carter

Megan Carter is the Library Resources Editor at Public-Libraries.com, where she researches and explains how to get the most out of America’s public libraries — from library cards to free digital resources.