Suffolk Public Library is set to start burning more of the midnight oil, so to speak.

During its reading program last summer, the system asked patrons for their thoughts on the community resource.

Sarah Townsend, the city’s assistant director of libraries, said some survey respondents commented on opening hours and the times of day programming is offered for different age groups.

Partly as a result of that survey, more evening hours will be added at Suffolk’s three public library branches.

“This is really part of our mission to make sure we are serving citizens in Suffolk and giving them what they need and being community focused,” Townsend said.

Currently, Morgan Memorial Library in downtown Suffolk has two late nights, opening until 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. North Suffolk Library has a third late night, also remaining open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Chuckatuck Library currently has one late night: Monday.

Beginning Feb. 1, Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Chuckatuck will have those same hours on Mondays, and it will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with Friday being a new open day for the branch.

“Part of what we’re doing is to make it more consistent,” Townsend said. “In my experience, it’s wise when as a system you streamline those hours so people know what to expect.”

For instance, if a downtown patron has to visit North Suffolk Library, he won’t have to think twice, she said.

Townsend said the city’s library managers also looked at trends in Hampton Roads and nationally to inform their decision. She said the revised hours mesh better with school hours in Suffolk, after the division introduced new schedules, allowing library staff to enhance programming for young people.

“One of the great benefits is we think we will be able to better meet the needs of families with school-age children, because of those schools that now get off later,” Townsend said.

“It’s been difficult to do programs for that age group when it’s close to 5:30 p.m. by the time they get home.”

The changes were announced in a news release only this week, and posters and signs have just gone up — people haven’t yet had a chance to react, according to Townsend

“I think people are still learning about this,” she said.