Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 4, 1993 TAG: 9305040369
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sunday hours at Roanoke's main downtown library might be eliminated. Funds for buying books and materials have been trimmed by more than 10 percent in two years. The number of people shelving books may have to be reduced.
In Roanoke County, librarians are doing a juggling act to avoid cutting services. They will buy fewer books in the next fiscal year and allow some jobs to remain vacant.
Bedford County has reduced bookmobile service from five days a week to one.
In Botetourt County, a reduction in state aid for libraries has forced librarians to forgo the purchase of some reference books.
The Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library has put a freeze on hiring and has cut back on the purchase of books and supplies.
The reason for the budget cuts is money - or, more accurately, the lack of it.
In Virginia, state funds for libraries have been reduced by more than 10 percent in recent years. Most localities have maintained their level of funding, but libraries still are feeling the crunch.
It's even worse regionally.
In Fairfax County in recent months, orders have been canceled for $1 million worth of books, hours reduced at 22 branches, some overdue fines doubled, a bookmobile eliminated and a freeze placed on buying video and audio tapes.
Public libraries across the nation are facing cutbacks in funds and services as politicians struggle to deal with slumping tax revenues and the rising costs of education, public safety and health.
For example, San Francisco's mayor is proposing a $4.7 million cut in the city's library budget, one that would eliminate 17 branches and limit the remaining nine to children's-only libraries.
Baltimore has eliminated its eight mini-libraries and a full-service branch.
The situation is not as severe in Roanoke and Western Virginia, but it has forced libraries to look for ways to trim expenses.
"Yes, we are feeling the effects of budget cuts and tight finances that are causing cutbacks elsewhere," said Emily Keyser, Roanoke's acting chief librarian.
Eliminating Sunday service and reducing temporary workers who shelve books are being considered, Keyser said.
From September to May, the main library is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Many students use the library on Sundays for research and reading. The library is closed on Sundays during June, July and August.
Funds for buying books and materials will decrease by $36,000 in the next fiscal year, to $171,000, Keyser said, because of the reduction in state aid.
Because of many fixed costs, she said, the library has few alternatives to trim costs. Hours, book purchases and personnel are about the only areas where cuts can be made, Keyser said.
Spencer Watts, director of the Roanoke County library system, said he also has been forced to cut funds.
Watts said the budget crunch is made worse by the cost of books rising as funds decrease.
The county has not been forced to reduce hours, but it has eliminated some positions as they have become vacant, he said.
"We have been fortunate that we have not cut services, but it has been a close call," Watts said.
Steve Vest, director of Botetourt County's library system, said, "We've been able to maintain our services, but the funding cuts have put us in a precarious situation."
"With book prices going up, you buy fewer books," Vest said. "But fortunately we haven't had to cut hours or other services."
Steve Preston, director of library outreach services for Bedford County, said the county has bought fewer books because of the financial squeeze.
"When the average cost of a book is $22, the money doesn't go that far," Preston said.
To counter the bleak fiscal trend, some formerly staid library advocates in big cities are fighting back politically, rallying supporters to help argue their cases before local lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the American Library Association has launched a nationwide "Write for America's Libraries" campaign. It ends May 18.
The library association is urging the public to write, in 100 words or less, how the library has changed or made a difference in their lives.
The testimonials will be used to persuade lawmakers in towns across the country of the need for full library funding in the information age. The association has received more than 1,000 letters since the campaign began.
To contact the American Library Association, write to: 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, Ill. 60611.
by CNB