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September 13, 2010

Four shuttered Trenton library branches may never reopen

http://www.trentonian.com

Published: Thursday, September 09, 2010

By L.A. PARKER
Staff Writer

TRENTON — Four city library branches that were set to reopen on Sept. 13 likely will remain closed because the city failed to deliver financial support.

“We haven’t even had a discussion with Mayor (Tony) Mack since he attended a board of trustees meeting in August,” Library Executive Director Kimberly Matthews said.

Mack promised $350,000 then and expected library officials to come up with a plan that would adjust operating hours to 3-7 p.m. weekdays while the main Academy Street branch would stay open a total of 60 hours six days a week.

Matthews and her staff attempted to accommodate Mayor Mack’s wishes but failed. “We would need an estimated $845,982 to do his plan,” Matthews said.

Acting Business Administrator Drew McCrosson informed trustees that the library operated approximately $150,000 under budget last year.

“They’re willing to roll that over but that still leaves us about $350,000 under what we need to implement the mayor’s plan. Because of that the four library branches will remain closed. It’s unfortunate but for now we intend to make the main library the best that it can be,” Matthews promised.

Matthews shut down four branches and issued 14 employee layoffs on Aug. 15 as the city’s library system operated on life support. Matthews has expressed a desire to maintain the Academy Street branch only, saying that one library site could provide credible client services.

The city previously kicked in $2.1 million to support the Trenton library system but that contribution appears in jeopardy as Mack deals with an estimated $60 million budget deficit, a money hole that has forced him to layoff 111 police officers, 72 firefighters and hundreds of city employees.

“We have only a handshake deal. It’s possible that we won’t even get the $2.1 million,” Matthews said.

Posted by tumulty at September 13, 2010 12:03 PM

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