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May 8, 2009

Facing $300K in budget cuts, trustees may be forced to close Piscataway library branch

By CAIT CALLAHAN • STAFF WRITER • May 6, 2009

PISCATAWAY — In the face of a nearly $300,000 budget cut from the township libraries' funding, members of the Piscataway Public Library Board of Trustees announced at Tuesday's council meeting that the Westergard Library would not be able to stay open if the cut was made — an idea Mayor Brian C. Wahler staunchly rejected.

"When (Library Board of Trustees President) Fred (Cassady) brought it up — and I like Fred Cassady very well — I said, "What are you talking about? That's not an option,"' Wahler said, adding that no one from the municipal government ever suggested closing a library as a way to cut costs.

But Piscataway Libraries Director James Keehbler said the board has looked at possible reductions in hours as a cost-saving measure, but determined the reductions necessary to meet the cut to be unrealistic.

"We looked at reducing hours, and we couldn't find any schedule that people would be able to understand or make real use of," he said. "... We understand there is a financial issue for the township, and we could certainly make some reductions, but $300,000 was not something we could do."

But Wahler said the township is instituting cuts across the board, and the library is just one portion of the township that will to have to learn to function under new budget constraints.

"They're going to have to think about how they deliver their services," he said. "All the department heads, including the library, are going to go through some changes that they may not like. (Closing is) not going to be an option. That's not acceptable. I am not in favor of that, and I have a vote on that (library) board."

Though both parties agree the library should stay open, neither has determined how to meet the budget demands. While Wahler said he is putting the responsibility on all of his department heads to determine what is necessary, Cassady said the board will meet privately Monday to discuss its options, as well as with the mayor and township council at another time.

"We were happy to hear that the township administration doesn't want the branch to close. We agree. We think it's a vital part of that community," Keehbler said.

He said he is hopeful the board will be able to figure out an acceptable option, but Wahler said that even if the question of closing the branch did come to a vote, it would not be entertained.

"I'm confidant in that," he said.

Cait Callahan;

908-243-6612;

ccallahan@

Posted by tumulty at May 8, 2009 7:00 PM

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