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Library Budget Faces More Cuts

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: March 4, 2009

As Pasco County works out more budget cuts, including an anticipated $30 million revenue loss in property taxes, agencies are having to roll up their sleeves and trim more of their own operational expenses.

Some agencies, however, already feel like they've been cut to the bone and don't know where to turn to trim more.
Pasco County Libraries director Linda Allen said her department faced 4 percent in cuts two years ago. Another 10 percent came off on top of that this year. Now, she is having to look for ways to cut as much as 28 percent more by October.

"Thirty-three percent of my professional library positions are vacant, which is making it extremely difficult to operate," said Allen.

While she's been told to cut more from somewhere in her budget, she doesn't "know where in the somewhere in there might be." The system has already cut 17 positions, curtailed its spending on new materials and even cut back hours.

The library system operates on a $7 million budget, which was down from the previous year. With that money, it operates libraries throughout the county, including Land O' Lakes and Zephyrhills. More cuts, Allen said, will make it very difficult to keep all current services in place.

"Given that particular framework, we're looking at reducing hours and possibly closing locations," she said.

While she understands that cuts have to take place, dealing with the where and the how is becoming increasingly difficult.

Allen began her career with Pasco County 22 years ago and built the system up to include branches throughout the county.

"I've spent 22 years getting to this point and now I'm feeling like my life's work is just being thrown away," she said.

Commissioner Michael Cox said the county is facing a very difficult budgeting process this year.

"Property values have plummeted and with them revenue," he said. "Unfortunately, this is just a matter of having to cut back on the budget."

Cox said how much will need to be cut and from what services has yet to be determined as county administration officials continue to crunch the numbers. Priority spending will go to emergency services, such as police and fire.

"Unfortunately, when it comes to libraries, they are more of a luxury," Cox said.

Patrons don't necessarily agree.

Teens who take part in the programs available to them at the Land O' Lakes Branch Library are upset with the cuts that have already taken place. They fear what will happen if and when more go through. Many young adults, however, have stepped up to the plate to volunteer their time to help out, including Krystal Brown, 20, of Land O' Lakes.

"It's a fun environment," said Brown. "It makes you want to help out. The budget cuts shouldn't have been done."

Fellow volunteer Samantha Dunkley, 16, echoes her sentiments. Libraries are important, she said, because they "help the community flourish."

A meeting on the proposed budget cuts should be on the County Commission agenda March 10, Allen said. The agenda had not been finalized as of press time. That meeting will take place at the Historic Dade City Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., starting at 10 a.m. Residents who wish to address the commission can sign up to speak in advance of the meeting.

Allen urged library supporters to let their opinions be heard. She did, however, caution that residents should have ideas on where they'd like to see cuts take place.

"It's important that they let commissioners know where they're willing to have their services cut because there's going to have to be cuts."

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or at slonon@mediageneral.com.

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