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Libraries make cuts while circulation increases

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 7:09 PM Monday, May 18, 2009

Library systems in Middletown and Hamilton are cutting back, even while library usage is increasing, officials say.

In Middletown, cuts have been made in the budget for materials borrowed by patrons, Middletown Public Library Director Doug Bean said Monday, May 18.

The Lane Libraries, with branches in Hamilton, Oxford and Fairfield, will reduce salaries of managers and impose furloughs on non-managerial workers, spokeswoman Carrie Mancuso said Monday.

The state has a $900-million budget deficit for the fiscal year ending in June. The Lane Libraries expect to lose $1.2 million. Managers will be taking a pay cut amounting to 4.5 percent annually, while non-managers will be required to take furloughs of 10 days over 10 pay periods. The Lane Libraries employ 23 managers plus 110 other staffers.

The cuts, in effect from June through November of this year, are expected to save the Lane Libraries $150,000.

The situation is similar in Middletown, Bean said. Bean didn’t have precise figures, but said the Middletown library, with branches in Trenton and West Chester, has been reducing staff through attrition. The materials budget has been cut by 15 percent, although the trims affect less-popular items, he said.

“We’re very grateful for state funding, but with the declines right now, we’re just sharing the pain,” Bean said.

While budgets are going down, circulation is going up. Middletown’s has increased 11 percent a month for the past two weeks. Lane’s circulation for March 2009 is up 4 percent over March 2008.

Whatever cuts the libraries make, the goal for both systems is to affect the patrons’ experience as little as possible, the directors said.

“We have a rental collection of books, so we’ll still be able to get materials. We won’t see any difference in that kind of demand,” said Mary Pat Essman, Lane director.

“We are always attending to what the customer wants,” Bean said. “The scope of what we buy is broad, so some things that are less in demand, that’s what we’ll be trimming.”

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There are a few misconceptions here. The director is included in the term "managers," so she is receiving the same cut in pay. Library managers routinely work the public desks in addition to their managerial duties. Plus, managers are the only ones who can work overtime, so not only will they be working five days with less pay, they will be working longer hours to help cover the shortages from the furloughs.

Chelsea
7:14 PM, 5/19/2009

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It is ironic that libraries face their most serious financial problems at times when they are the most needed.
As an avid library user and taxpayer, I would like to see how many people are employed at Lane and how many of those are managers. Perhaps having fewer people at the top and more "little people" would be a more effective use of state dollars during these difficult times.

Murph
11:35 AM, 5/19/2009

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I hope this doesn't affect the new library in West Chester.

Jenn
10:33 AM, 5/19/2009

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It's a shame that the libraries that we so depend on are being hurt by this economy. I have been a long-time user of both library systems and appreciate all that they do. However after reading this article, I have to wonder at the need for so many mangers as mentioned - that was kind of surprising. I plan to continue to use the library, but will definitely appreciate it more when I am there, but look at it with and entirely different perspective.

james
10:12 AM, 5/19/2009

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Too bad that libraries are impacted financially. It would be good if cuts were not limited to managers and staff but to include the lofty directorships. The Lane library director's salary could be cut to reflect the pain.

Lanie
9:39 AM, 5/19/2009

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