Library Journal named the Union County Carnegie Library its Best Small Library in America for 2009 for its emphasis on customer service, welcoming attitude toward children and up-to-date computer services. Despite the honor, the library has had to struggle with cuts in state funding that forced it to cut back on the acquisition of new books and other materials.
Head Librarian Nancy Rosenwald told Union County Council earlier this month that without additional funding, the library will have to reduce its operating hours from 54 to 30 a week. To avoid this, the county is being asked to raise the millage it levies for library operations and assume responsibility for the maintenance of the library.
Council is still considering the matter, but two other groups have already responded to the library’s appeal for assistance. The Friends of the Library has donated $20,000 and the Union Rotary Club is giving $10,000.
Bev Weed, president of the Friends of the Library, said the donation is the result of the hard work of the Friends over the years. This is the latest in a series of efforts on behalf of the library by the Friends who last year paid for work done on the bookmobile. She said these efforts are what the Friends are all about, supporting the library.
Rotary vice president Hugh Rowland said “literacy is one of the key areas that Rotary International promotes. Members of our local Rotary Club recognize the extreme financial situation that our prize-winning library is in and considered our contribution the least we could do.”
Mrs. Rosenwald said both groups have supported the library over the years through financial contributions and as volunteers. The cuts in state assistance left the library facing an $80,000 deficit. She said donations by the Friends, Rotary and others has reduced the deficit to approximately $20,000.
“These funds are desperately needed,” she said. “The Friends of the Library and Rotary are to be commended for addressing some of the most immediate and critical needs of the library.”
Mrs. Rosenwald said the money will be used to purchase books for young adults, middle readers, early readers and beginners; non-fiction for all children; and supplies and performers for the Summer Reading program.
While donations are appreciated, Mrs. Rosenwald cautioned they are not recurring funds like tax millage. She said meeting the library’s needs year to year requires either local and/or state funds. If the cuts in state assistance are not replaced, Mrs. Rosenwald said, the library will face a projected deficit of $120,000 in fiscal 2009-2010. This will require the library to reduce its operating hours and again cut back on the purchase new books and other materials.
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