In an effort to better serve its patrons, the Forsyth County Public Library Board has further tailored the hours next year at the system’s three branches.

The changes, which take effect Jan. 4, came in response to concerns that students would bear the brunt of the library closing earlier.

The board first agreed to trim hours for 2010 in September as a cost-cutting measure.

Under that plan, each library branch would have closed at 5:30 p.m. on all but one night each week.

Monday’s decision will extend hours until 8:30 p.m. one additional weekday per library branch in exchange for opening three hours later.

Under the new schedule, all three branches will open at 1 p.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

In addition, the Cumming branch will open at 10 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, while the Sharon Forks branch will have that schedule on Mondays.

The new Hampton Park branch will keep those hours on Wednesdays.

Cutting library hours was the most recent move in the ongoing effort to help the county deal with its budget deficit.

Other measures have included freezing or eliminating open positions.

The Hampton Park branch, slated to open February, will not receive any new staff, meaning current employees will be shifted to cover hours at all three library branches.

The board noted further adjustments could be made after Hampton Park opens.

In addition, the county commission has voted to raise some employee costs associated with health care in 2010.