Library to begin to raise funds

The Almira Foundation has promised a $25,000 matching grant.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Fewer state dollars to public libraries meant fewer hours, not as many new books and less staff at the New Castle Public Library.
Library officials say they are hoping to bring back some of those things with a private fund-raiser -- something the library hasn't done since the capital campaign to construct the library building the early 1980s.
"Our ultimate goal is to replace what was lost," said Susan Walls, head librarian.
State funding for libraries was cut by about one-third in the 2003-04 state budget and things don't look any better for the coming year, Walls said. The New Castle Public Library lost about $300,000 in state funding.
Three staff members were laid off and others who retired or quit weren't replaced because of the budget cuts. Many other employees were reduced to part-time hours from full-time, she said.
The library's weekly hours were also cut from 66 to 44.5.
"Our board has tried to please everybody, but it's hard to please everybody on 44.5 hours," Walls said.
Professional staff is now cross-training to make up for some of the services lost when people were laid off or made part time and the library has come to rely heavily on volunteers, Walls said.
They also hope to again start Family Place, a state funded program for new parents that had to be stopped because of the staff cuts. The library had to get a special waiver from the state to stop the program last year, she said.
Challenging goal
Library board members say replacing $300,000 in state funding is a hefty amount, but they believe it's an attainable goal.
"We're taking it one step at a time. Hopefully, we can get back to the level of service we are used to," said Rich Gordon, a library board member coordinating a fund-raising letter for patrons.
Gordon said letters going out sometime in June will be just the first step.
Library board members eventually hope to set up endowments that will go on perpetually.
Until then, library board members are working on a solicitation letter.
The first $25,000 raised will be matched by a grant from the Almira Foundation of New Castle.
"With the budget cuts, we don't have a choice. If we want to get back to the level of service everyone knows and enjoys, we need to raise funds in different ways," Gordon said.
cioffi@vindy.com