San Diego PL Planning for 24% Budget Cut, Including Branch Closures, Layoffs

The San Diego Public Library's (SDPL) FY12 proposed budget isn't due until next spring, probably not earlier than April 15, 2011, but it's not too soon to start planning, especially since the city has asked the library, along with the Police, Fire, and Parks and Recreation departments, to submit cuts. The city faces a $72 million shortfall for FY12.

Although the FY12 budget won't go into effect until July 2011, SDPL director Deborah Barrow last week announced a proposed budget cut of 24 percent, or $5.1 million.

Two branches closed, others curtailed
The scenario would include a permanent closure of two branches, not yet determined, according to SDPL senior public information officer Marion Hubbard. More than 80 FTE positions would be eliminated; SDPL currently has 358.4 FTE staffers, Hubbard told LJ.

A wide range of resources and services, including materials and hours, would be affected, per the official statement. "Rolling brownouts" of the remaining libraries would be implemented, meaning branches would be paired together and closed on alternate days. SDPL's total annual hours could fall to 43,056 under the proposed plan as compared to 76,076 in FY07, a 53 percent decrease.

Meanwhile, the city has begun a series of eight town hall meetings to gather public comments on the proposed budget. The first meeting, which attracted 100 people, according to NBC San Diego, took place October 18.

Proposition D to the rescue?
No mention was made at the meeting of the potential impact of Proposition D, which is on the ballot November 2. If approved by a simple majority, this five-year sales tax hike could generate more than $100 million annually.

The official ballot language states, "To help offset severe state cuts and help restore essential services, including police, fire and street resurfacing." The exact impact of this additional revenue on SDPL is unknown, although Proposition D supporters have mentioned it could increase SDPL hours.