Cutbacks in Library Hours

No doubt by now most of you have seen something in the media about the cuts Franklin County public libraries have made in their operating hours for this year. The cuts were a direct reflection of the huge cuts we have experienced in state funding over the last 2 years.

Our staff fought a huge battle last year to remain customer-friendly in very tough working conditions. Every staff member had lost either pay or hours, and that was very hard on morale and energy level. I congratulate and thank them for serving you well under such advers conditions. This year by cutting the operating hours during times when each library was quieter, we were able to avoid any further cuts in pay. These same staff members are already significantly underpaid before the state cuts hit libraries. In 2009 and 2010, we were able to limit hour restrictions by cutting many other areas of the budget, but the additional cuts were crippling. There were no more options, when other costs continue to rise, ie utilities, insurance, library materials.

We all greatly appreciate the financial commitment of our local officials and donors. The steady county library tax, commitments from local governments and school districts, and generous donors who met our annual appeal goal for 2010 are now the backbone of our operating budget. The state cuts reduced that annual budget by 1/8th.

THANK YOU FOR BOTH YOUR FINANCIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES!!!

Change Matters, You Can Make a Difference!

Hi, Everyone,

As you have no doubt already heard, the state has cut public libraries again this fiscal year. We will be operating on about $16,000 in invested annual appeal funds in 2010 to keep the status quo in programs, operating schedules, staff and new materials. Over the 2-year period, Franklin County has lost a total of over $250,000 per year in state funding to local public libraries. This is one-eighth of our previous budget.

We just heard that to balance the cuts in federal dollars to PA, Governor Rendeel is cutting public library funding by an additional 1.9%, immediately.

Even your spare change will make a difference. We figured out that if each person using each library through less than $1.00 into the donation jar on each visit to his/her favorite library over the following year, we could meet the budget this year and next year. Awesome thought! Maybe it is doable. Please pick up the "Change Matters" bookmarks at your library desk over the course of the next month our two and consider helping us meet a level 2011 budget.

Budget Woes

Well, the verdict is in and public libraries get cut, not just by the 20.1% in State Aid, but in statewide programs like our online databases and reference.

Please lend a hand. If you have thought about giving to the local library of your choice or Franklin County Library System, make the decision "yes" today to assist us with a $175,000 slash in countywide library services. You can mail a check to Franklin County Library System or use the "Donate Now" link on our webpage to make credit card contributions.

We want to provide you with the service that you desire, but losing $175,000 per year is tough! We will be making adjustments in our staff, hours, and programs over the next few months to deal with the problem. Hopefully, those cuts will NOT often be apparent to you. When they are, please bear with us. These cuts are not by our choice. We would actually like to expend services to meet growing needs.

Also, beginning in January, two changes in overdue fines will be implemented: the daily rate will be increased to $0.20 per day per item and a surcharge on postal mailings of overdue notices of $0.50 per letter. We encourage each borrower to register his/her email address with their home library to avoid the snail mail charge. The cost of snail mailing overdue letters is huge!

Library News

Did you know that:

• Grove Family Library will be open more hours starting March 3?
• Besore Memorial Library's new director Laura Greenlee is taking up her post when Barb Schuit leaves on February 22?
• Coyle Free Library is offering Spanish for English-speakers on Fridays at 1:00 p.m? Class size is limited, so contact Raphael at 263-1054 to register.
• Alexander Hamilton Library recently hired a new children's librarian, Emily Sharp
• Plans for a new preschool bookmobile are under way with financial help from our friends at T.B. Woods, Altra Industrial Motion, Genstar, and the Rotary Clubs of Franklin County?
• Governor Rendell released his 2008-2009 budget recommendation with a modest increase for public libraries, still not enough to earn Franklin County public libraries the State Aid increase to match the recent increase by the County Commissioners?