Reduction in Library Hours
 

The Independence Public Library will be closing its doors on Thursdays and Sundays beginning the next fiscal year, which starts July 1st.  The reason for closing is a budget shortfall.  The library is now in a much larger and more welcoming space that has improved programming, services, and accessibility.  The library has seen large increases in usage in the new facility including an increase of 92% in visits to the library!

When serving almost twice as many people as one year ago and having a facility six times the size of the old one, there is no doubt that operational costs increase as well.  In the next fiscal year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) our educated guess is that costs not within our control will increase $17,000.  The increases are primarily in the areas of custodial, utilities, buildings and grounds, maintenance and supplies.  The library's contribution for operating costs (raised for the first three years of operation from the capital campaign) will be reduced by $5,000 as planned, making the minimum increase for continuing services $22,000. 

The $22,000 does not include continuing to be open on Sundays, as that was done on a one-time basis through money from the sale of the old library.  Money was requested to continue on Sundays in the library's budget proposal.  Another $4,500 would be needed to continue Sunday hours.

The city has allocated an increase of approximately $10,000.  Because of these factors, the library board was forced to make some tough decisions.  The unanimous decision was to close one day during the week plus Sundays.  To meet the bottom line, cuts were made from the current budget in salaries and book purchasing.  Decreases from the proposal were made in several areas including the electric and janitorial line items due to the closings.

For more information contact Laura at 334-2470 or indylib@indytel.com

Home  Pictures  Donations  Services   Calendar of  Events  Web and Reference Resources   Kids' Resources  New Books and Materials   Online Catalog   Community Resources  Library Connections  Friends of the Library