Library Board Approves 2009 Budget With Service Reductions

MALL LIBRARY TO REMAIN OPEN AT LEAST THROUGH 2009

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board of Trustees approved a 2009 operational budget of $17.9 million Monday afternoon, Nov. 10 that will require reduced library hours in several branches, layoffs and other expense cutbacks. The cuts are in response to significant tax-revenue reductions that began in 2008, as well as cost increases.

The Board had previously considered possible closure of Vancouver Mall Community Library at Westfield Vancouver due to lack of funds to complete remodeling that Westfield management had earlier this year presented as mandatory. Mall management recently notified the library district that remodeling could be delayed at least through 2009, with the extent of the remodeling to be negotiable. Westfield also indicated flexibility on library hours, and both of those factors figured into the Board’s decision not to close the branch. The district will continue to negotiate with Westfield on an operating schedule for 2009 and a new lease to replace the current one that expires in January 2010.

Cutbacks in the 2009 budget include:

· A wide variety of reductions in non-personnel budget categories, including training and capital purchases, and a likely significant reduction to the books-by-mail program

· Elimination of several administrative positions

· No pay increases for non-union staff; union staff are due a “step” or longevity increase in 2009 under the terms of the current contract

· Staff layoffs that would thereby require a reduction in open hours by up to one full day at each of six libraries: Battle Ground, Goldendale, Stevenson, Three Creeks, Vancouver (main library) and Vancouver Mall.

Details about the specific schedules for reduced hours and number of employees to be laid off will be worked out by administrative staff in the coming weeks. The district expects to begin implementing the cutbacks in First Quarter 2009.

FVRL Executive Director Bruce Ziegman said, “Over the past weeks, we received many thoughtful messages and suggestions from citizens and staff regarding the options under consideration for bringing our 2009 budget in line with reduced revenue. These were difficult decisions to make because of the impact they have on our employees and library service to our communities. However, we are committed to continuing to provide the very best library service we can in the coming years.”