Decreases in revenues force reduction in library hours

• On May 1, the Stanislaus County Library reported a plan to close the Modesto Library on Sundays and all other branches two additional days per week, forcing the layoff of 94 part-time employees and one full-time employee. 

• After struggling with the enormous impact this would have on the public, a revised plan has been developed to cut fewer hours countywide and preserve some of the part-time positions. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the changes will take effect June 30, 2008.

• Pending approval by the Board of Supervisors, the revised plan will include the elimination of three full-time positions (including the one previously announced). Eight vacant full-time positions will remain unfilled. The book/materials budget will be reduced an additional $200,000, for a total reduction of 56% over FY 07-08.  

• Under the revised plan, 68 part-time positions will be retained (a net loss of 70 part-time positions). Currently, there are 138 part-time positions.

• The reduction in hours will result in the closure of each library one additional day per week (rather than two).

• The proposed library budget is $10,652,565, a reduction of $1,791, 818 from the 2007-08 Fiscal Year.

• Budget reductions are the result of decreased revenues:
• Sales tax revenue (85% of budget) projected to decrease 12%
• County General Fund contribution down 3%
• State support for literacy, the Public Library Foundation, and Direct Loan Reimbursement is expected to decline 66% overall

• Other measures to reduce expenditures:
• Travel and training reduced 50%
• Book and materials budget was reduced by 10% in January. It will be reduced by an additional 49% in FY 2008-09. (The total decrease from the original 07-08 budget is 56%.)
• Currently, seven vacant full-time positions will remain unfilled/hiring freeze
• Reduce part-time staff by 51% (approximately 70 positions)
• Eliminate three full-time positions and reclassify one full-time position
• Maintenance and repairs will be deferred unless they create a safety hazard

• Library closures have been scheduled using a regional approach to minimize the impact on library customers. When one library is closed, a nearby library will be open. For example, when the Newman Library is closed, the Patterson Library will be open.
• Although open hours are reduced, library customers can still access the library online – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customers can search the library catalog, place items on hold, renew items that are already checked out, or chat online with a librarian.  Many print materials, such as magazine articles, biographies, and car repair manuals, are available online through the library’s web site.
• Currently, 13 Stanislaus County Libraries are open 579 hours per week. The reduction in hours will result in 487 open hours per week.  This compares to just 240 open hours before the library’s sales tax funding was put in place in 1995.