Library Funding Update
The men in my family left this morning for a five day Cleveland Indians baseball/fishing/Lake Erie/visiting husband's relatives combined vacation. Of course, Max and Charley and the crickets (who are singing to me at the moment) are still here to keep me company. I stayed home because I have to work for three of those five days that the fellows are going to be gone. That's a good thing, though. It means I still have my job--- at least for now.
Our state budget proposal was decided upon this week. Although cuts in funding for libraries were not as deep as originally proposed, they were still severe. Our library is losing an additional 11% in funding instead of the original additional 32% that was proposed. Coupled with the 20% that we lost earlier this year, our funding has been cut 31%.
As a result, on August 1st, the staff at our library and our branch libraries which now totals 54 employees will be cut to just 28 employees. I still have my job, but many of my coworkers will not be so fortunate. My friend who did the droopy drawers dance for me recently was given notice this week that she is one of the ones who is being laid off. I will miss working with her and miss her sense of humor at the library.
Those of us fortunate enough to keep our jobs at the library are faced with changes as well. There is going to be a 5% pay cut for all of us across the board. The library will no longer be open on Saturdays and will be open in the evenings now on only two days of the week. The other three days we will close at 5:00. My hours have been cut from 25 hours a week to just 20 hours a week. Our holidays will no longer be paid days off. Part-time workers, like me, have lost other benefits as well.
I am grateful that I still have a job. Things could change again after November. A proposed renewal tax levy for our local funding goes on the ballot in November. If that is voted down, I am fairly certain I will lose my job. Time will tell what will happen next.
Thank you to those of you who have expressed your support of libraries. I appreciate it. I hope you also will let your local librarians know how much you appreciate having the library service that is available to you.
The fellows took the camera with them for their trip so I am currently without a camera to use. That is probably a good thing for you all reading this. At least you will be spared having to look at more pictures of flowers and sunsets and clouds here for the next few days. ;) If I want to share any pictures with you, I guess I will have to dig up some old ones or just paint some with my words.
Our state budget proposal was decided upon this week. Although cuts in funding for libraries were not as deep as originally proposed, they were still severe. Our library is losing an additional 11% in funding instead of the original additional 32% that was proposed. Coupled with the 20% that we lost earlier this year, our funding has been cut 31%.
As a result, on August 1st, the staff at our library and our branch libraries which now totals 54 employees will be cut to just 28 employees. I still have my job, but many of my coworkers will not be so fortunate. My friend who did the droopy drawers dance for me recently was given notice this week that she is one of the ones who is being laid off. I will miss working with her and miss her sense of humor at the library.
Those of us fortunate enough to keep our jobs at the library are faced with changes as well. There is going to be a 5% pay cut for all of us across the board. The library will no longer be open on Saturdays and will be open in the evenings now on only two days of the week. The other three days we will close at 5:00. My hours have been cut from 25 hours a week to just 20 hours a week. Our holidays will no longer be paid days off. Part-time workers, like me, have lost other benefits as well.
I am grateful that I still have a job. Things could change again after November. A proposed renewal tax levy for our local funding goes on the ballot in November. If that is voted down, I am fairly certain I will lose my job. Time will tell what will happen next.
Thank you to those of you who have expressed your support of libraries. I appreciate it. I hope you also will let your local librarians know how much you appreciate having the library service that is available to you.
The fellows took the camera with them for their trip so I am currently without a camera to use. That is probably a good thing for you all reading this. At least you will be spared having to look at more pictures of flowers and sunsets and clouds here for the next few days. ;) If I want to share any pictures with you, I guess I will have to dig up some old ones or just paint some with my words.
