Temporary Reprieves for Libraries in Boston and Charlotte
By Norman Oder Jun 23, 2010Beleaguered library systems in Boston and Charlotte Mecklenburg County, NC, have recently received temporary infusions of funds that will allow more service than initially anticipated for FY11. They don't, however, represent sustainable solutions. Rather, they buy time while the libraries and their constituencies try to figure out how to reshape service in an environment of declining funding.
In North Carolina
While Mecklenburg County taxpayers have historically supported the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, this year localities have kicked in. The library has gotten one-time funding of about $730,000 from five towns and $1.4 million from the city of Charlotte for FY11. Thus, the library will have a budget of about $23.3 million, a 27 percent decrease from FY10 but better than the nearly 45 percent reduction initially proposed. The library closed three branches in May and four branches this month--and will have to cut hours at the remaining branches by 26 percent. On top of 120 staffers laid off in April, 66 more employees-18 percent of those left-will be laid off. A citizen task force likely will be convened to reexamine the library's "operating and funding models."
Boston closures delayed
The Boston Public Library (BPL) Board of Trustees agreed to delay the expected closings of four branches to plan for the reuse of the buildings and delivery of library services. BPL president Amy Ryan said there's no set closure date for specific branches, given that each neighborhood will proceed according to its own time line. Still, BPL will cut 68 positions overall as of October 1. The Boston Globe reported that $654,000 in new city funds would help keep the branches open at least through the winter. Legislators, however, are still threatening to withdraw state funding if the branches close, even though the state budget-which has gone from $8.9 million to a proposed $2.4 million-is one of the causes of BPL's troubles.
