Library funding cuts in the State Budget are not quite as severe as some officials had feared, according to Susan Hauer, Administrator for the Lancaster County Library System. With cuts proposed in Senate Bill 850 reaching as high as 50%, Hauer said, negotiations eventually brought that figure down to 34% prior to the budget’s passage. Ultimately, the budget was passed with a smaller 21% cut.
Hauer observed that the cut “doesn’t seem as draconian as 34,” but noted that this figure does not include the zeroing out of PA Access funds, which provided $250,000 for Lancaster County libraries to share resources. All things considered, the county will lose about $700,000 in State funding for libraries this year.
Anticipating budget cuts, the Library System has already sought to run on an “austerity budget,” so as to finish the year “as lean as possible,” Hauer said. These cost reduction measures have included the elimination of some databases, higher employee contributions for health care, and the trimming of smaller operational expenses. The System also arranged for three months of lease forgiveness from its landlord.
The Lancaster Public Library has already undergone a 22% staff reduction to make up for a projected $120,000-$145,000 drop in revenue. The library has also eliminated its business center and cut an hour from the beginning and end of each day—or 11 hours from each week—at the Duke Street location. According to Director Joyce Sands, the limited staff has necessitated an “all hands on deck” mentality, with fewer employees operating more desks than in the past. “I don’t think it’s had a major impact on the public,” Sands said, “But maybe not as smooth as we’d like it.” The library is also seeking to maximize its use of volunteers wherever possible.
Yesterday, the Lancaster Public Library issued a press release further detailing its present situation.
According to Manheim Community Library Director Barbara Basile, smaller neighborhood libraries like her own will not be impacted as significantly as larger operations like the Duke Street Library. Basile noted that the facility for Manheim Community is donated by Manheim Borough, which provides an automatic cost savings. To make up for its modest budget losses, Basile said, Manheim Community may cut some hours, and plans to take more holidays off. Also, Basile said, the library will sustain an existing staff vacancy until the spring.
The Ephrata Public Library has recently closed its doors on Fridays, and has also undergone some staff reductions, according to Director Joseph Zappacosta. While seeking to retain most of its public services, the library’s board will be looking into a number of ways to reduce expenses and raise funds: “We’re experimenting,” Zappacosta said, “But we’re not going to be able to fund the library with fundraisers.”
