Library Cuts

For 2008, our library funding was cut by 10%. It was part of a township-wide budget reduction, so it wasn't like the library was specifically targeted. But the impact is still startling.

When you walk into our library, there's a set of shelves for new books. Usually it's about 80% full.

Visiting earlier this week, those shelves were nearly empty. Perhaps two dozen books total. The new books from last cycle had been put into regular circulation (I think every 60 days) and there just weren't enough new titles to take their place. It was really sad, looking at those empty shelves.

Turns out the 10% reduction caused a 50% cut in the new material budget, due to rising expenses in other areas. You can't control health care or building maintenance costs, so you have to curb your intake spending. It's practical, but discouraging.

While it's nice that the town is cutting costs, I think having a good library is important to the community. It influences the town's educational resources and overall quality of life, and provides a place for research, gathering, and learning. I'm seriously considering donating money directly to the library, to offset whatever tax break might have been attributed to this budget cut. Might as well pay for those new books myself, and in turn, share them with everyone else.