NEW CASTLE Library board to cut hours

The library also furloughed two employees.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- There will be fewer hours to get your fill of books and other services at the New Castle Public Library.
Library board members met earlier this week and decided to reduce hours again in response to state budget cuts. The new hours begin March 1.
The library is cutting 10 hours from its schedule. It will now be open 44.5 hours each week.
"It's not a schedule I'm happy with," said Susan Walls, head librarian.
In addition to the reduction of hours, two employees will be furloughed and others will have their hours cut, Walls said. She did not know exactly how many employees would be affected by reduced hours. The library has 23 part- and full-time workers.
Earlier cut
The library reduced hours in July when officials first learned that the state was cutting library funding. New Castle is a district library and receives money in July for services it provides to several smaller libraries in Lawrence, Mercer, Butler and Armstrong counties.
Local library funding is expected to come soon, but state lawmakers are still revising the formula that determines how much each library will receive.
Walls said the library board has decided to reduce its costs by 37.5 percent, the same amount state lawmakers cut the overall library funding budget. They are still unsure how much money will come from the state.
In addition to cutting staff and hours, the library also will reduce its book buying, Walls said.
Others feel the pinch
Other county libraries are taking similar steps.
F.D. Campbell Library in Bessemer is not reducing hours, but has cut back on buying books, said Librarian Jean Workman. She said she also is buying more paperbacks to save on expenses.
The Ellwood City Public Library cut its hours last month. The library opens an hour later each day and has shorter hours on weekends.
"We are going to watch everything we do. We are trying to cut as much as we can without inconveniencing the public," said Veronica Pacella, Ellwood City's librarian.
cioffi@vindy.com