So, what’s happening? Every year, the library tries to save some budget money to carry over into the following year to help the budget and the library stay open during the summer and fall months, before property taxes are paid and dispersed in December. Library responses to community need for and use of library programs made it difficult to save as much of a carryover for next year as there was for this year. Combined with cuts virtually guaranteed when the State Governor presented his proposed budget on May 14th, the library could see a shortfall of as much as $48,000, which is approximately one-tenth of the library’s total budget.If these predications hold true, then all aspects of library service will be impacted: service hours, literacy and other programs, purchasing power and staffing. While this is an initial acknowledgment of the pending shortfalls in the budget, there may be additional reductions if the current year’s revenues should fall below those predicted in July 2001. The library will keep the community informed of the proposed reductions as information becomes available.
Blanchard Library forecasts possible budget cuts
May 29, 2002
Santa Paula News
The deadly combination of little economic growth and abandonment of State support for local government forces the library to forecast potential budget cuts for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002. “This difficult fiscal time creates pressures on the library and its employees,” said District Librarian Dan Robles. “As we strive to weather it, the library will continue to act responsibly and prudently to safeguard services and collections for better times.”
Robles explained that one effort that should be made and supported is that the library is a basic responsibility of local and state government.
The deadly combination of little economic growth and abandonment of State support for local government forces the library to forecast potential budget cuts for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002. “This difficult fiscal time creates pressures on the library and its employees,” said District Librarian Dan Robles. “As we strive to weather it, the library will continue to act responsibly and prudently to safeguard services and collections for better times.”Robles explained that one effort that should be made and supported is that the library is a basic responsibility of local and state government. “We need to identify allies and ideas. Libraries serve our rights as citizens. In the current civic approach for voter education, it should be acknowledged that the right to vote must be supported by the right to know, and the library serves knowledge in its fullest sense.”As the Library Board and Library Administration begin the decision-making process with respect to handling the shortfall in the 2002/03 proposed budget, tough decisions need to be made detailing the reductions that will be necessary to meet the target. All of the decisions will be painful, for they could change the very nature of the role of the library and its ability to provide services. The results could be reductions in the services and collections that every community member has access to, and either supports and/or uses.