COLUMBIANA- Like most libraries in Ohio, Columbiana Public Library has announced several cuts to help offset a decline in revenue.
Due to a poor economy that has forced a reduction in state funding and an 11 percent cut in the Public Library Fund during the most recent state budget, CPL will be making multiple changes effective Oct. 1, most notably reducing staff hours, but will retain its regular operating hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, according to Library Director Carol Cobbs.
Additional cuts include a 10 percent decrease in Cobbs' salary; non-renewal of two databases ("Price It" for antique collectors and the staff's "Books in Print"); cancellation of three newspapers; and elimination of the monthly printed newsletter, which will be available in electronic form on the library's Web site, www.columbiana.lib.oh.us.
And even though patrons will still have an opportunity to borrow new releases, the library has slashed its materials budget by 15 percent, meaning fewer copies of new releases will be purchased, and canceled OCLC, its secondary source for borrowing items from other libraries, Cobbs said. The library will continue to utilize the state library lending program (MORE), through which 95 percent of all requests are filled, she added.
The library is also cutting back on postage costs, transferring all notifications to electronic for the patrons providing an e-mail address.
"Our efforts have centered on areas that would have as little impact on our patrons as possible," Cobbs said, regarding the recent cuts. "The [library] board and myself took a long time to make the decision, but we felt we needed to do something to balance the budget."
Programs offered by the library and sponsored by the Friends of the Library, such as the summer reading and those for children, will continue, she added, as well as the organization's purchase of video games for the library's collection.
With circulation climbing to record heights, though, it is imperative to continue to provide the greatest service as possible, Cobbs noted, adding that no more cuts are expected, but the budget will have to remain under close watch.
"Every effort is being made to make our changes as seamless as possible to the public," she stated. "Our goal is to provide [it] with the best possible service and the materials [it] enjoy using."
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net
