When patrons visit Grove City Community Library, head librarian Linda Bennett likes to see them parked in a chair with a book in hand. But long-term parking in the 10 library spaces against the building is another story.

Monday night, borough council agreed to restrict parking in those spaces to two hours at the request of the library.

"We're very happy to have this two-hour parking restriction because people were parking there all day long and our library patrons were unable to get a parking spot," Mrs. Bennett said. Previously there was no time restriction. "I would put my own homemade signs out there saying 'Library Parking Only.' But still people didn't abide by that always, but it was a start."

The library is in the same building as the municipal building, 125 W. Main St. The library's spaces are in the larger city lot, which is open to the public.

Mrs. Bennett said she has seen the parking problem worsen in the last few years, which is why the library sent a letter to council in January to address the issue.

"Particularly when there's special events going on in downtown, such as Strawberry Days, street fairs, events at College View Towers next door," she said.

According to Police Chief Dean Osborne, part of the library's problem stems from College View Towers, which is next to the library/municipal building and has adjoining parking lots. Osborne said that tenants have been taking up some of the city lot's parking spaces, but that the high-rise is addressing that problem.

"The big lot even gets filled up with people who work in town and it should be available for them," Mrs. Bennett said. "College View Towers needs to add more parking places and I think they're working on adding more parking to their property."

Part of her concern stems from many of the library's programs for younger children.

"People couldn't find parking anywhere in the big lot or ours. Especially the young mothers who bring kiddos to story time and they have to have a toddler and a baby in arms and they have to walk two or three blocks away. It's difficult for them with that age group," Mrs. Bennett said. "Wal-Mart has special parking places for pregnant and expecting mothers. You know I can understand that when you're trying to carry babies in and carry everything with them."

Mrs. Bennett said she and the staff are required to park in the big lot, but there would be no place to park even in that lot at times. "Even councilmen who came to do business couldn't find a place. Even the police chief couldn't find a place to park. Everyone agreed it was a problem."