Thursday, July 30, 2009
The library will be reducing the number of books, periodicals and services.
STAFF REPORT
SALEM — The Salem Public Library on Wednesday announced cuts in its hours and services to make up for a state funding shortage.
The library will be closing at 8:30 p.m., a half-hour earlier than usual. The new hours as of Saturday will be from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
It will not be open on Sundays during the fall, winter and spring as it has been in recent years.
The recently adopted state budget reduced library funding statewide by 11 percent.
The reduction, in addition to the 18 percent cut the libraries have absorbed since January, brought the total reduction in state funding support for libraries to 29 percent, according to the library.
After the latest round of cuts, the Salem library’s state funding could be cut as much as $200,000 this year as compared with 2008.
Support from the state makes up 93 percent of the library’s operating revenue.
Brad Stephens, the director of the Salem library, said he anticipates the funding loss will reach $230,000 in 2010.
Some 800 people visit the library every day, he said.
The library has reduced its staff by 10 percent since the beginning of the year in response to diminishing state tax revenues.
That works out to a loss of about two full-time workers, leaving the library with the equivalent of about 14 full-time employees.
Library Board President Tom Patterson said: “In my 36 years as a trustee, we have never seen such drastic cuts in funding. The board is making every effort to be fiscally responsible and plan for the future while preserving the wonderful staff and services provided by the library.”
Some 150 to 175 people use the 14 public computers every day.
A growing number of people who have canceled their own computer service also come to the library to tap into its wireless connection.
“The timing for these reductions could not be worse given that the demand and need for services provided by the Salem Public Library have never been higher,” Stephens said.
Last month was the busiest month in the library’s 114-year history with 38,421 items checked out.
Stephens estimates that library usage for the year will grow by more than 10 percent if the current pace of borrowing continues.
The library will spend 25 percent less on books, magazines, reference materials and movies.
Interlibrary loan delivery services and several database services for car repairs, early-childhood literacy and genealogy will be eliminated.
Additionally, overdue fines and fees for copying and printing will increase Saturday.