Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Library to get $43,000 less

The Palm Harbor Library will cut some services, but not staffing or hours, it says.

By NICOLE HUTCHESON
Published July 17, 2007

The good news for library users in North Pinellas: There are no plans to cut staff or hours at the Palm Harbor Library.

The bad news: It might get easier to rack up overdue late fees.

A state mandate requiring local governments - including the library's special taxing district - to lower property taxes next year will mean roughly $43,000 less for the library, said Gene Coppola, the library director.

And that means shorter checkout times, fewer new books and a cut in summer programming, under the library staff's budget-cutting plans.

"Our book budget, DVDs - all these things - may not be readily available anymore," Coppola said Monday. "In time, you may see there are less copies on the shelves."

Coppola's proposed operating budget is $1.46-million for the coming year. The library sees about 25,000 visitors a month and hosts a plethora of programs, including a youth summer reading and arts camp. Aspects of that program might be slashed as well because of the leaner budget.

Now, patrons can keep items for about 28 days and extend their checkout times for another 14 days. The 14-day extension may get cut, Coppola said.

The cuts are all an effort to prevent reducing hours and staff at the library -- a harsh reality for neighboring libraries.

St. Petersburg's and Clearwater's main libraries have indicated they might reduce hours. And Largo's main public library might have to reduce staff, said Mary Brown, executive director of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, a not-for-profit that provides funding and assistance to area member libraries.

"Everyone is talking about whether or not they're going to be able to maintain hours with reductions in staff," Brown said. "I think it's going to be difficult."

Coppola will submit the library's budget to the Palm Harbor Community Services Agency on Wednesday for its consideration.

Despite the budget woes facing the library, there are upgrades in the works. Earlier this year, the Florida Department of State awarded the library a $500,000 grant for renovations. That will be matched by another $500,000 from the library cooperative.

Coppola expects to award the grant to a contractor in December. The plan is to replace the library's carpet, add new lighting and restrooms, and raise the ceilings.

Nicole Hutcheson can be reached at nhutcheson@sptimes.com or 727 445-4162.

[Last modified July 16, 2007, 22:36:37]