When someone is trying to find information about your library, they are likely going to head to Google first so it is important to make sure the information listed is accurate. In this blog post, we will cover how to update your hours of operation in your Google listing. It is good practice to update your hours every time they change (transitioning to summer hours, extended holiday closures, etc.) and also to check them about once a year just to ensure they are still up to date.
The first step to updating your hours on Google is to log into Google using an active account. Then you can type your library’s name into the search engine. This should bring up your business profile on the right side of the screen.
Click on “Suggest new hours” or “Suggest an edit”, just below the stated hours. If you haven’t already logged into Google, you will be prompted to do so now. Input the updated hours of operation and then hit “Submit”.
A window will pop up on the screen saying that your edits are being reviewed. This process usually only takes a day or two and you will receive an email notification to the account you logged in with notifying you when the changes have been approved.
Don’t forget to change your hours on your website as well. This can be done by filling out the Website Questions & Other Updates form on the Support Site. Alternatively, you can email the PRLS IT department at helpdesk@prl.ab.ca and let them know your hours need to be updated on the library website.
If you don’t have a Google business profile (the sidebar with business information that pops up on the right side of the screen), you can follow these simple steps to get set up! Your patrons and new visitors will appreciate how much easier you are to find.