Cuts may mothball libraries

Spokane library officials on Wednesday said they are facing a choice between mothball closures of three neighborhood branches or reduced operations at all six of the city’s libraries.

Library trustees said they want to look at options for cutting $1.2 million from the $7.5 million library budget, and then take comment from the public in a series of town hall meetings before making any decisions.

The cuts stem from a cash shortfall in the city’s general fund, and are just part of a wide-ranging reduction expected in tax-funded city services next year.

“I think, frankly, the citizens of Spokane are going to be up in arms over this, and I can understand why,” said Trustee Ned Barnes, who has served on the board since the six libraries were built with voter-approved money in the early 1990s.

Library Director Jan Sanders responded, “I don’t blame them.”

Sanders and library staff have recommended complete closure of the city’s three smallest branches – Hillyard, Indian Trail and East Side – because it would eliminate the cost of maintaining collections at each and be more efficient from a staffing perspective.

Library trustees said it would create an uneven burden of cuts among neighborhoods, and curtail access to library services in two of the city’s lowest income neighborhoods where the libraries provide help to children and families. Plus, if the small branches are closed, it would become very difficult to reopen them as tight city budgets continue in future years, said Trustee Jennifer Roseman.

“I find it unconscionable to close East Side, Indian Trail and Hillyard,” Roseman said.

She noted that the proposed library cuts come at the same time Spokane has been promoting the creation of a new wireless “Wi-Fi” network for Internet use in the downtown area. Both provide easy access to information.

Board Chairman Garry Shea said the contrast between library closures and new wireless Internet access seems “surreal.”

If the small branches are closed completely, the city would maintain the buildings for possible reopening in the future.

Budget cuts dating back to 2000 have already reduced the libraries’ staffing. In 2000, the library budgeted an equivalent of 110.5 positions through a combination of full- and part-time workers. Now, the number is 93.5 positions.

Library officials said they have already implemented efficiencies. They are undertaking a plan to reduce staffing by three to four jobs through a reconfiguration of computer stations and service desks at the Downtown Library.

Shea said it might not be possible to achieve the needed cuts with partial closures. For example, full closure of the Hillyard Library would save $370,000 a year, while reducing its hours to two days a week would save $150,000. The same numbers roughly would apply to the Indian Trail and East Side libraries.

Closing smaller branches, or reducing their schedules, is likely to increase demand at the larger branches, officials said. As a result, they would probably need to add staff at the larger branches to serve any increased use at those locations.

The board scheduled a meeting for Monday at 4 p.m. in the lower level of the Downtown Library as a study session to look at various closure options. The board will not take public comment then, but is expected to schedule a series of public meetings to take input from library users. Board members tentatively said they want to hold town hall-style meetings at each of the branches over the next few weeks.

Sanders said she would like to see the board reach budget decisions as soon as possible because of the risk that tempers may flare over the cutbacks.

The board is also looking at the possibility of shutting down a senior outreach program that circulates about 4,500 books and other library materials each month to elders living at retirement centers.

Budget cuts are largely being caused by sluggish city tax collections versus rising costs for health care, salaries and jail incarceration. As many as 100 positions could be lost in public safety services alone. Parks cuts already under debate would reduce funding for pools, senior centers and recreation programs.

Mayor Jim West is expected to announce details of his budget recommendations by Nov. 1, including reductions in police, fire, streets and other tax-funded City Hall services. Utility operations are funded through rates charged for water, sewer and garbage and are not under the budget ax.

Parks and library budgets are set by their respective boards while the City Council has authority over budgets at other departments as well as a handful of options for increased tax collections. The council also sets utility rates.