Thegatewaynews.com - Library will cut operating hours

The Pierce-Streetsboro LIbrary, above, is one of five branches where the Portage County District Library will reduce hours of operation, effective Feb. 23.

Because of declining funding levels, the Portage County District Library will reduce hours of operation at five branch locations, including Streetsboro's, effective Feb. 23.

Effective Feb. 23, Pierce-Streetsboro's hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

The other locations are Aurora, Brimfield, Garrettsville, and Randolph.

Windham's hours will not change.

Because of Ohio's sluggish economy, according to officials, the library system's projected revenue will be 7 percent less this year than in 2008.

The PCDL receives about 95 percent of its funding from the state's general revenue fund. In December 2008, PCDL was informed funding will be nearly $180,000 less in 2009.

Officials said this year's operating funds are at the lowest since 1998. PCDL is funded through Ohio's Public Library Fund and does not receive any money from Portage County or local property taxes.

Cuts to the budget include closing an extra day at the five branches and reducing staff hours.

"We looked at our statistics from last year to determine the days and hours our customers use most frequently, said Library Manager Cecilia Swanson. "We based our new hours on those statistics.

"We also have to reduce staff hours in those branches. We've come up with a plan to reduce staff hours rather than lay off employees.

"We think this is a better way to handle the cuts because we're trying to keep people working," she added. "We looked at reducing the management staff, but we've been cutting management positions for years to keep the branches staffed adequately.

"Since the funding freeze in 2002, the remaining management staff has absorbed the workload and there's just nowhere else to cut. We dealt with a 2 percent reduction in funding last year, but we can't carry on as before with the additional 7 percent reduction."

The library's bargaining unit employees are represented by Service Employees International Union District 1199. Library administrators met several times with union reps to discuss plans to reduce the budget.

According to Swanson, "Alternate ideas were discussed, but the library determined the best course would be to preserve as many jobs as possible and limit the number of people affected by the reduced work hours.

"We're making other cuts as well. We're reducing our materials budget so there will be fewer multiple copies. We will not replace equipment and computers unless we have to.

"It's hard to make these cuts because people need public libraries even more when times are tough. We're seeing more people using the library to write resumes, submit job applications and apply for benefits.

"The library is also a good source for books and movies when families are looking for ways to save money. Unfortunately, the economy is taking its toll on everything, including libraries," she added.

"Each July, we receive a certification from the county auditor's office with the following year's funding estimate, based on projected revenues," explained PCDL Fiscal Officer Linda Rogers.

"We have to base our temporary budget on that estimate. We received a revised estimate at the end of December which was about $285,000 less than the first estimate, and we have to make cuts.

"We don't know if further reductions will come later in the year. It does not happen often, but it's not unusual to get revisions since Ohio's library funding is based on the ebb and flow of the economy."

Reduced hours at the branch libraries will mean fewer programs for children and some changes in storytime schedules.

Until Feb. 23, the library is open Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday noon to 5 p.m.