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Nov. 12, 2008 special issue
 Fort Vancouver Regional Library District
www.fvrl.org

Update on the 2009 budget
Mall library to remain open at least through 2009
A message from Bruce Ziegman, Executive Director

First of all, I want to thank those of you who wrote to the Library Board and administration over the past weeks with thoughtful comments about library services, as we faced making decisions on 2009 budget cuts. These cuts are in response to significant tax-revenue reductions that began in 2008, as well as cost increases.

The Board held an open public hearing on the budget at its Nov. 10 meeting. The $17.9 million budget they approved will require reduced library hours in several branches, layoffs and other expense cutbacks. The Board had previously considered possible closure of Vancouver Mall library at Westfield Vancouver due to lack of funds to complete remodeling that Westfield management had earlier this year presented as mandatory. Mall management recently notified the library district that remodeling could be delayed at least through 2009, with the extent of the remodeling to be negotiable. Westfield also indicated flexibility on library hours, and both of those factors figured into the Board's decision not to close the branch. The district will continue to negotiate with Westfield on an operating schedule for 2009 and a new lease to replace the current one that expires in January 2010.

Cutbacks in the 2009 operating budget include:
  • A wide variety of reductions in non-personnel budget categories, including training and capital purchases, and a likely significant reduction to the books-by-mail program
  • Elimination of several administrative positions
  • No pay increases for non-union staff; union staff are due a "step" or longevity increase in 2009 under the terms of the current contract
  • Staff layoffs that would thereby require a reduction in open hours by up to one full day at each of six libraries: Battle Ground, Goldendale, Stevenson, Three Creeks, Vancouver (main library) and Vancouver Mall.
Details about the specific schedules for reduced hours and number of employees to be laid off will be worked out in the coming weeks. We expect to begin implementing the cutbacks in First Quarter 2009.

One of the other reductions considered was to bookmobile services. While no cuts were made in this area for 2009, we will be carefully assessing this service over the next year.

The decisions about budget cuts were difficult to make because of the impact they have on our employees and library service to our communities. I want to assure you, our valued library members, that we are committed to continuing to provide you with the very best library service we can in the coming years.

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