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July 23, 2010

Libraries in Cranford, Kenilworth save hours, programs in dealing withstate cuts

nj.com
Cranford Chronicle
Published: Saturday, July 17, 2010, 8:42 AM
Leslie Murray

A reduction in state aid to libraries sparked fears that state programs such as popular interlibrary loans would disappear. However, a decision last week will keep the majority of those programs in place while library directors in local communities warn that future financial cuts could have serious detrimental impacts.

Amid a grass roots campaign by public libraries and residents across the state, it was announced that state budget funding for libraries would be cut by $6.1 million, a reduction of more than 40% from the 2009 funding level. Originally, the spending plan proposed by Gov. Chris Christie had called for a $10.4 million cut in aid to libraries, which would have eliminated programs and services including most state maintained databases, interlibrary loan and the JerseyConnect Internet system.

The budget cuts were offset by $6.6 million in new funds for state libraries, including $5.1 million in federal grant monies, part of the second round of the economic stimulus bill, as well as $1.5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In addition to state aid and grant monies, public libraries are funded through a formula that requires municipalities to budget a third of a mill of local assessed property values to run the local facility.

In Cranford and Kenilworth, the public library directors for both communities said the cuts to state funding will not impact the hours of operations at the respective facilities. However they warned that libraries were not in clear.

In Kenilworth, Library Director Dale Spindel said state aid “makes up a very small portion of (the) operating budget” for the borough’s library. She said the library receives about $7,000 in aid from the state each year. Unlike some other public libraries, Spindel said that local funding provides a sufficient budget to run the facility.

“As of right now, our situation is stable,” Spindel said.

Because the library operates on a schedule that meets state criteria, including three evenings each week, Spindel said that reducing hours of operation was not a consideration for Kenilworth. However, she said the threats to programs such as state databases and interlibrary loans would have had a major impact on the library.

“Had funding not been restored, there would have been a devastating effect on Kenilworth as well as other libraries in the state,” Spindel said.

In Cranford, Library Director John Malar said state aid for this year was reduced from $20,000 to $10,000. With the drop in aid, he said the decision had been made to leave the library’s operating hours alone and reduce the book budget by $10,000.

“I like to (have the library) open as many hours as possible,” Malar said.

Speaking about the originally planned cuts to state databases and the interlibrary loan programs, Malar said it would be been “virtually impossible” for individual libraries to provide the services without state help.

Adding that the book budget is “still healthy.” Malar said that with the drop in spending Cranford public library could have few copies of popular titles available to residents and could hold off on purchasing some titles all together.

He added that the intention was to “stretch the money we do have and use it as intelligently as we can.”

While the funding for libraries in the 2011 fiscal year remains uncertain, Spindel said that libraries will continue to provide services to the best of their abilities despite lower budgets.

“Librarians have a long history of being able provide a lot services for not a lot of money,” Spindel said.

Posted by tumulty at July 23, 2010 8:39 AM

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