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The wait for page to turn

With details largely unknown, library patrons are concerned about a cut in hours.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published July 17, 2007

LARGO - Officials plan to cut hours at the Largo Public Library, but they aren't sure how they'll go about it yet.

All they know is that schedule changes will probably be necessary to comply with state tax reform measures that require cities to trim their budgets.

Earlier this month, the staff proposed closing the library on Sundays to save the city about $420,000, mostly by eliminating several positions.

There are just a few practical ways the city can cut the positions it needs to cut, said Casey McPhee, Largo's library director.

One option is to close the library on Sundays. Another is to open four hours later or close four hours earlier twice a week.

"No matter how you look at it, somebody is going to be upset," McPhee said.

There are folks like Linda Drake, who homeschools her kids. In the afternoons, she often stakes out the children's area with her son, David, 7, and daughter, Rebekah, 12.

She wouldn't mind if the library opened later. But she sometimes uses the library on Sundays, especially hot summer days, and would "hate to see it close."

Then there are those like Helen and Rowe Hudson, retired schoolteachers who spend most mornings at the library after going for a walk and eating breakfast.

"We live in this place," said Rowe Hudson, 75.

The couple would rather see Sunday hours go than morning hours during the week.

Annually, about 80,000 people visit the library on Sundays. The city hasn't calculated the average number of morning and evening visitors, McPhee said.

The staff originally proposed shutting the library on Sundays to cut the equivalent of 11 full-time positions.

Since some positions are vacant and other workers have recently quit, four employees likely will be laid off, according to McPhee.

But a couple of commissioners didn't like the idea of closing the library on Sundays.

So other options to cut the same number of positions will be offered in the coming weeks as city leaders discuss the 2007-08 budget.

Mayor Pat Gerard said people around town already have started complaining to her about the prospect of losing Sunday hours. And Commissioner Gigi Arntzen said she personally would miss Sunday hours if they were cut.

"I'm very apt to go there Sunday and pick up a couple of books," Arntzen said. "Hopefully we can find out a way to keep the library open on Sunday."

Fast Facts:

Current hours

Mon.-Thur.: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

[Last modified July 16, 2007, 22:20:32]