DCPL Avoids $2M Budget Cut

The District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) in July was threatened with a $2 million cut (from a $9.4 million budget) by October 1, the start of the fiscal year, but, as DCPL director Ginnie Cooper predicted to LJ, the cut was rescinded.

Last year, DCPL, along with other city agencies, offered a voluntary early retirement option; 71 staffers took it, Cooper said. DCPL was waiting until October 1 to replace them when, in January, the mayor's proposed budget included elimination of those positions, part of 550 jobs cut citywide. DCPL subsequently was assured that the jobs would be reinstated, said Cooper, but, in June, that scenario became shakier as the budget faced strain. Indeed, the reduction in positions was increased to 74.

Eventually, Mayor Adrian Fenty found the needed $2 million, the Washington Post reported, “because payment for the District's debt service on capital projects is less than anticipated.” The library did end up losing three positions.

The San Francisco Public Library's (SFPL) new budget totals $84.5 million, an increase of about eight percent. The additional funds will allow an extra day of service at seven branches, amounting to six-day service at all facilities and seven-day service at 17 locations, including the main library. Service hours have increased 62 percent since 1994, SFPL reports.

A more than $1 million enhancement to the book and materials budget ups that amount to $10.1 million, or approximately 13 percent of the total budget. It represents a nearly 12 percent increase. The new budget will also support service at SFPL's Stegner Environmental Center and the Log Cabin Ranch Library, a juvenile justice rehabilitation center, as well as a school services specialist librarian to train school district staff to use SFPL educational resources.