| Frequently
Asked Questions
Why is the library
reducing public hours?
Recent cuts in state
level aid to public libraries have resulted in a $750,000 loss in
operating funds for DCLS. The library system must reduce open hours
in an effort to absorb that loss of funds. We are doing that in
the first phase of our budget planning.
How did you
decide which days/hours to eliminate?
We chose the least busy
hours/days to close. We are trying to maximize the cost savings
while minimizing the service impact of these decisions.
How many people
will lose their jobs at the library as a result of the cuts?
The hours reduction
means that the library system will lose the equivalent of 5.5 full-time
positions. However, because many of the positions affected are part-time,
more than 5 people will be affected, some through job loss and others
through schedule changes. We have also eliminated several positions
through attrition, for a total loss of at least 14.5 full-time positions.
Didn’t
you just get a county increase? Won’t that cover what the
state has cut?
Yes, we are grateful
to the Dauphin County Commissioners for their support of public
library service. However, while the county increase helps to make
the state cuts easier to bear, it cannot be used as a dollar-for-dollar
replacement of those funds. The library system approached the county
commissioners about a funding increase before the state cuts were
announced because, beginning in 2004, DCLS would have begun experiencing
a budget shortfall. The library system has not requested an increase
in county funding for nearly 8 years and expenses have been rising
much more rapidly than income. In addition, the library system must
replace its catalog and circulation software, which dates to the
1980s, because the software vendor will no longer support it. Purchase
and installation of this software is very expensive, but we cannot
operate without it. These and other expenses mean that, even with
the county increase, the library system cannot absorb a $750,000
loss without reducing operating hours.
What happens
to the replacement libraries and repairs to existing libraries you
promised as part of your recent capital campaign?
DCLS raised $2 million
toward those projects, which total a $5.6 million expense. We are
committed to moving forward with replacement libraries in uptown
Harrisburg and Hummelstown, and making critical repairs and renovations
at our downtown Harrisburg and East Shore Area libraries. However,
these projects will now take longer to complete than the five-year
span allotted for them because of the funding issues. We will continue
to raise funds privately in support of the Libraries Are for Life
projects.
Will you still
have the summer reading program and storytimes?
A: Both will be kept
going, though probably in reduced format. DCLS has eliminated all
programs except those that support childhood and adult literacy,
adult learning and job seeking, and those that are funded by endowments
or through sponsorships. Without the county increase, we would likely
have had to eliminate all programs.
Will there be
fewer books on the shelves when I visit? What about computer resources?
Regretfully, yes. DCLS
has already cut the materials budget by $160,000 and expects to
cut it further. The World Book and GaleNet and other online databases
have not been renewed. Public internet computers and word processing/office
software workstations will stay the same in this phase of the budget
preparations.
You said this
was the first phase of your budget preparation. Will there be a
phase two and will it entail more cutbacks?
Yes. Phase two of the
cuts will likely include further reductions in book and materials
purchasing, further staff reductions, increases in overdue fines
and other fees and related measures. Those changes will be in place
by May 1. We are trying to avoid any additional cuts to public service
hours, but we cannot rule that out completely.
Prepared
by Karen Cullings
Community Relations Department
January 20, 2004
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