Fort Bend County library's 3-day Juneteenth weekend cancelled minutes before start, staff says

RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- Just minutes before their 3-day holiday weekend was set to start, Fort Bend County library staff members said they were told the extended break was off.

A library staffer reached out to ABC13 and shared an email they received on Thursday. In it, the staff member was told that instead of three days off for the Juneteenth holiday, all library locations have to open on Saturday.

The order, the email said, was given by interim Judge Daniel Wong. However, his spokesperson told ABC13 the library director made the mistake and didn't get proper approval.

Since the federal holiday falls on a Friday, the spokesperson said the taxpayer facilities should open on Saturday. On Thursday, the library website showed all locations would be closed for three days because of Juneteenth.

Eyewitness News also saw closure signs at the George Memorial Branch location on Thursday. Now, the website reads all locations will be open on Saturday.

ABC13 reached out to library director Roosevelt Weeks about the email. He confirmed all locations will be open on Saturday.

He didn't answer any of ABC13's other questions. Weeks' email did go on to provide more information about what happened.

"I made an error in assuming the Library Advisory Board's approval of our calendar was sufficient for the closure," Weeks said. "I was informed today by Legal that any library closure must also receive approval from Commissioners Court."

In the email, Weeks said branch managers are asking staff to work on Saturday to be able to open all sites. He went on to say, "I fully understand that many of you have already made plans for the holiday weekend, and I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience."

One thing that is unknown is when the library director knew the branches had to open on Saturday. ABC13 asked the judge's office. The spokesperson replied, stating they'd look into it.

What is known is that the email the staffer received shows it arrived around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Many library locations closed at 6:00 p.m.

That means, they learned the three-day weekend was off about half an hour before it was set to begin.