Hours changes coming
An update from Bruce Ziegman, Executive Director
I want to provide you with an update on our budget situation and coming service cuts. As a result of a substantial revenue shortfall and rising costs, we have had to eliminate 24 staff positions. This has necessitated a reduction in open hours, as follows:
Battle Ground Community Library: When their new library opens in May 2009, they will be closed one additional day (Mondays).
Cascade Park Community Library: When their new library opens in late 2009 or early 2010, they will close one additional day per week (to be determined).
Goldendale Community Library: Effective Feb. 1, 2009, they will be closed on Mondays. Their hours will also change; the new schedule will be Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
La Center Community Library: No reduction in hours. However, their schedule will change effective Feb. 1, 2009: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-6 and Thursdays from 10-8.
Stevenson Community Library: Will be closed on Mondays effective Feb. 1.
Three Creeks Community Library: Will be closed on Mondays effective Feb. 1.
Vancouver (Main) library: Will be closed on Sundays effective Feb. 1. Their hours will also change; the new schedule will be Monday through Thursday from 9–8 and Friday-Saturday from 10-6.
Vancouver Mall Community Library: Effective Feb. 1, they will reduce Thursday through Saturday hours to close at 6 p.m. rather than 9 p.m. and open at Noon instead of 11 a.m. on Sundays.
No reduction in hours at some locations: Libraries currently on a 5-day schedule will continue to be open the same number of days. This includes the La Center, Ridgefield, Washougal, White Salmon Valley and Woodland libraries. The North Bonneville library will retain its current 12 hours per week. No significant changes have been determined at this time for bookmobiles.
What this means in terms of staffing: A total of 24 positions were eliminated across the district. This represents nearly 10 percent of our 246 positions. We cut staff and hours only after every other attempt to balance our 2009 budget, including slashing training, travel, and capital expenditures. We're also planning substantial cutbacks in our books-by-mail program that will be implemented in 2009.
We wish there were a less drastic solution than to cut services to our communities by reducing open hours. We also very much regret parting ways with good employees whose jobs were eliminated. However, we’ll get through this economic downturn and look forward to brighter days.
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Past newsletter issues - see the archive.
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In Memory of Jerry King
FVRL Trustee 1997-2008
We are saddened by the Nov. 26 passing of long-time library supporter and Board member Jerry King. We will remember him fondly as someone who believed strongly in equal rights and intellectual freedom. Jerry strongly supported open, civil discourse at Board meetings and relished a hearty discussion. He appreciated hearing opinions from all sides of issues and frequently expressed his thanks to people who spoke -- in fact, we remember him often saying, "We had a meaningful discussion." He liked the Board to have an equally thorough discussion; according to Jerry, it was not acceptable for Board members to sit quietly like "bumps on a log." He will be missed by many in our community. Read more about Jerry in an article that appeared in The Columbian.
Jerry's term on the Board was set to expire on Dec. 31. The Clark, Skamania and Klickitat County Boards of Commissioners have jointly appointed Jane Higgins to serve the next term beginning January 1.
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Ben Franklin, Benefactor
Friends' fundraiser supports the
new Battle Ground library
Tickets are available for the Friends of Battle Ground Library's fourth annual Ben Franklin Dinner, a fundraising event to support the new Battle Ground library. It will be held Saturday, January 17 from 5:30-10:00 p.m. at the Battle Ground Community Center (912 E. Main Street). Tickets are $50 per person. To make reservations or for more information, call the Friends at (360) 666-5865.
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Activities for Kids
There's an abundance of interactive programs for children at FVRL libraries during January. Here are just a few:
Tween Rock Band Party (La Center)
Reader's Theater (Goldendale)
Join the Space Cadets (Vancouver)
Read to the Dogs (Three Creeks)
Tween Books and Crafts (Ridgefield)
Fairy Tale Magic (Cascade Park)
Royal-Tea (Vancouver Mall)
Superhero Showdown (La Center)
We also offer parent-child book discussions for school age children and storytimes for babies through preschool ages. See our kids events page for details and other exciting kids' programs.
Bookmark Contest
Kids, here's a chance to see your artwork on 10,000 bookmarks!
 Enter our 2009 Bookmark Contest. For kids in kindergarten through 8th grade who live or attend school in our service area. One grand prize winner in each grade. Return entry forms to any of our branch libraries or bookmobiles by the January 31, 2009 deadline. Special thanks to our sponsors: iQ Credit Union, The Columbian, Les Schwab Tire Center, McDonald's, Cascade Dental Group and Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation.
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Friends' Used Book Sales
Find great bargains and
support library programs
Vancouver Mall Community Library
Thursday, January 29, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday, January 30, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, January 31, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Special "bag sale" on Saturday from 2-3 p.m.
Three Creeks Community Library
Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Presale for Friends members (membership available at the door) from 8-10 a.m.
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Filming at a previous One Minute Critic event