September 3, 2009, marks a new era for the Auglaize County Library system (Wapakoneta, Cridersville, Waynesfield, New Knoxville, New Bremen and Minster libraries). We have been hit hard by the downturn of the economy and the legislative reduction in funding. The financial situation warranted decisions that are not well-liked but for the best interest of the system. Public libraries in Ohio receive 1.97% of state revenues. Our library system is 90% dependent on this state funding to operate. We receive no local funding.
Before this year began, we modified purchases of materials and supplies. Wages were frozen at the 2008 level. In January, the effort of cutting began more earnestly. As the economy slipped more into recession, we held off larger purchases to see what this financial year held for us. Governor Strickland’s announcement was a devastating blow. The public’s outcry kept Ohio libraries from a greater devastation, but the impact is not small. The total reduction is projected as 31%.
We have $2.3 million in the General Fund which is to be used for general operating expenses. In 2008, it took approximately $1.2 million to operate the ACPDL system. The remaining monies in the general fund and restricted funds have taken 84 years to accumulate. It could take only 5 years to nearly deplete that. We have been putting money back in restricted funds like a building fund, a vehicle fund, and a computer fund. The auditor’s office has told us that we cannot move those funds into the General Fund. Over the past month, we have contacted the Dayton regional office and now are trying to get a clarification about this ruling. It is still ongoing.
Our funding has been decreasing since 2001. It doesn’t appear likely it will increase in the next 5 years. If we kept operating at the 2008 spending level, the General Fund would decrease by $1.3 million by 2012 based on 2009 funding levels.
At a meeting on July 23rd, Lynda Murray, the Ohio Library Council representative, stated that Ohio ranks number 1 nationwide in state funded libraries. Ohio receives $14 per capita of state dollars for library services compared to Hawaii, the second ranked state, with $7 per capita. The next group of states comes in at $2 per capita. Ms. Murray noted that Ohio legislators are looking at these statistics and could further reduce future state public library funding.
Ohio libraries have been very fortunate with the funding levels that we have been receiving. However, there is much uncertainty in the future funding of libraries. The ACPDL system is attempting to be prudent with funds we currently have to maintain six locations with quality staff, materials and state of the art equipment. Virtually every area that that can be trimmed and eliminated has been.
Our library no longer has an avenue to save. Even with all the cuts, we are still spending with a deficit. With current funding, we are unable to save for any needed maintenance, repairs, and replacements without further reducing the general fund.
The ACPDL Library Board was presented with six options to make their decisions to reduce the deficit at the August board meeting. Four of those options included closing libraries.
The reduced hours at all locations were not decided without thought. We used a formula to redistribute library operating hours based upon usage (using patron count, circulation and internet usage) and then took a 28% decrease. We compiled data to obtain peak usage information and determined the limited hours based on that information. No one will be happy about the decreased hours, but open hours are better than a shuttered library. In the reduction of hours, we had to lay off personnel. This is the hardest part of my job. I cannot describe the stress that those of us who have to tell someone they no longer have a job, let alone those who receive the news.
Several long term savings decisions also occurred. One was to raise the health insurance eligibility threshold from 25 hours weekly employees to 30 hours weekly employees. The trustees took in consideration the present staff by “grandfathering” any present employee who was in the health care insurance to stay in whether she was at 30 or less hours. Future employees will not receive the insurance.
Many of the reductions we have made are not apparent to the public until the most recent ones have happened. Starting in 2008, we have steadily reduced book and audio visual purchases and so on, but here is the list and it finishes up with the board approved items:
-Reduced materials book budget -Reduced magazine budget
-Reduced audio visuals budget (dvds, music cds, audiobooks, computer cds)
-Reduced building repair budget -Eliminated programming supplies budget
-Reduced furniture budget (incl. staff & patron computer replacements)
-Eliminated bookmobile services -Limited staff participation in workshops/trainings
-Limited staff professional memberships
-Raised amt. of employee health ins. deductible level
-Stopped annual transfer of funds to building fund & vehicle fund
-Reduced weekly library hours @ Wapakoneta (Main Library) from 53 hrs. to 40 hrs. ; Cridersville Public Library from 20 hrs. to 13 hrs.; New Bremen Public Library from 32 hrs. to 20 hrs.; New Knoxville Community Library from 24 hrs. to 13 hrs.; Stallo Memorial Library from 29.5 hrs. to 26 hrs.; White Memorial Library from 24 hrs. to 20 hrs.
-Reduced staffing levels for Wapakoneta (Main Library), Cridersvile Public, New Bremen Public, New Knoxville Community, Stallo Memorial, White Memorial, Technical Services staff hours, maintenance staff hours, and in Administrative staff salaries.
-Increased fines from $.10 per day per item to $.15
-Increased maximum overdue amounts from $5.00 per item to $7.50 per item
-Increased donated funds for books to 100% of the cost of the book
-Raised life insurance eligibility threshold from 25 hrs. weekly employees to 30 hrs. weekly employees (Grandfathered employees eligible health insurance 8/1/09 )
-Raised vacation accrual threshold from 25 hrs. weekly employees to 30 hrs. weekly employees. (Current employees could use their vacation balance until depleted.)
-Raised sick leave accrual threshold from 25 hour weekly employees to 30 hrs. weekly employees. (Current employees could use their sick leave balance until it is depleted.)
-Raised threshold from 25 hrs. weekly employees to 30 hrs. weekly employees for Personal Day, bereavement leave, holiday pay, and tuition reimbursement.
The Library Board chose to keep all six quality locations open, yet operate within our means. This required cutting back staff and staff members’ hours, reducing library operating hours, reducing budgets, and reducing all expenditures. There will be no future surplus to put back for large purchases or emergencies. We do not have the ability to plan for the future. We are operating month to month in this volatile economy. The deficit is here, eating away at the General Fund. If the economy stabilizes, the future funding, we hope, will come in to strengthen and re-vitalize the library system. Increased hours in the library system will be reviewed if there is a sustained increase in state funding.
M. Jo Derryberry
Director |
