Library learns of $2 million cut
in current budget year.
Trustees to discuss layoffs of at least 140 library employees and closure of 12 libraries at Thursday meeting.
On Tuesday, March 16, the Library learned that Mecklenburg County would be reducing the
Library's funding for fiscal year 2010 by $2 million dollars,
before June 30, 2010.
The Mecklenburg County manager's
office laid out a plan that outlined reductions for many County-funded
agencies, including the library, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the
Department of Social Services. The cuts are an attempt to help close what has
grown into a $34 million shortfall in the FY2010 Mecklenburg County budget.
To
absorb a $2 million reduction in such a short period of time, the Library will
need to lay off at least 140 employees, resulting in the closure of at least 12
Library locations pending Library board approval. The Library had already been
asked to reduce its budget by $4 million in county funds since January 2009.
Those cuts included across the board salary and benefit reductions and
significant cuts in the books and materials budget. The need to return $2
million dollars to Mecklenburg County means that it is no longer possible for
the Library to defer lay-offs and location closings.
How this will impact library services.
Decisions are still being made on which Library locations will be closed. Library closings will be made
based on
the overall cost of library operations, usage levels, proximity to other
branches and library size. In addition to fewer locations, hours
and staff, library customers will notice other budget impacts, including less
frequent building maintenance, more limited technology resources, and longer
wait times for books and other materials. We'll continue to keep you up-to-date on developments that impact the
library services you receive.
Final decisions will be announced Thursday.
The Library Board of Trustees will
consider these options at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 18 at 12
p.m. in the Francis Auditorium. County Manager Harry Jones will meet with the
board prior to the meeting at 11:30 a.m. As soon as possible after that
meeting, the Library will announce which library locations will be closed. Once
the decision has been made to close locations, it will take approximately two
weeks to complete the closing.
How to learn more.
If you'd like to receive more in-depth information on the library's evolving budget situation and ways you can help, we've created a special email interest category for Budget Updates. Just click on Update Profile/Email Address at the very bottom of this email, and follow the instructions to update your email news preferences and subscribe to the Budget Updates topic.
If you have additional questions about why the Library's budget is being cut, you can view a presentation from County Manager Harry Jones
online. Due to Mecklenburg County's need to prioritize budget planning, they have set
seven Priority Levels, and the Library falls under Priority Level Four.
You can advocate for libraries.Many of you may wonder what role libraries play in our 21st century society. The answer is that we're as important as ever. Libraries are more than just places to find information. They are places for education and self-help and lifelong learning, and offer opportunity for everyone to learn and to improve themselves.
For many children and adults, libraries are the only place they can go to use a computer for schoolwork or to find a job. Libraries are the lifeline that allow many, including our most needy visitors, to function in an age where access to information makes a critical difference in overcoming life's challenges: finding a job, developing one's skills for a new career, obtaining accurate and reliable information about health care or legal issues, or learning to use technology. And libraries are places where people connect not just with books and computers but with other people. Libraries are one of the few places that are open to everyone. But unfortunately for the citizens who need us, many libraries in Mecklenburg County may now need to close their doors.
Some educational services, such as CMS and CPCC, and other educational
support services are considered by Mecklenburg County to be
Priority Level One. If you use the
Library as an educational support service, please
let your elected officials know. Some examples are attending
Library classes, using Library meeting space for studying and/or
tutoring, using Library books, materials and web sites, etc.
The Library needs your support now more than ever.If you would like to show your support for the Library, there are several ways you can do so:
Thank you for being a valued advocate and supporter of libraries.
