Libraries Face More Cuts, but Consider Longer Hours

The budget for Fairfax County libraries has been cut almost 27 percent over the last four years. Now, the system is bracing for more reduction.

Since 2008, the Board of Supervisors has cut the library's budget from $33.5 million in FY 2008 to $26.0 million in FY 2012. The cut within the proposed FY 2013 is 1.21 percent — another $324,359.

“We cannot afford anymore cuts," said Charles Fegan, at large member of the Library Board of Trustees.  The board met Wednesday night to discuss the budget.  "The Board of Supervisors is very attune to this.  We need to hit while the iron is hot. We have to take a stand.”

"The cuts were intended to be on the edge, not [Library Director Sam Clay’s] significant programs," Griffin told The Connection earlier this month.

But after cuts of more than $7.5 million in the last five years, library staff are concerned there are no edges left to trim. 

Griffin did not respond to Patch’s request for clarification.

What Library Users Have Lost

“We used to buy 22 copies of known authors, now we start with only four copies,” Elizabeth Rhodes, collection services manager for Fairfax County's library system, told the library board.  She said the budget cuts have significantly impacted the library’s buying power.  “We used to spend more than $6 per capita, now it’s less than $3 per capita.”

“It’s very rare now that a community library will get a copy of a book.  What we buy will first go the four busiest regional libraries in the system,” she said.

In addition, Rhodes said, they aren't taking chances on new authors. “... We can’t afford for a book not to earn its keep,” she said, which means it must be checked out at least four times per year.

“FCPL is seeing a rise in requests for materials the system doesn't own,” said Betsy Keefe, cataloging services manager.   “This is a reflection of the budget cuts and our loss of purchasing power,” she said.

In addition to loss of materials, the library has seen significant reductions in staff.

In the last five years FCPL has reduced its force by hundreds of workers. “The library reduced the total number of part-time (without benefits) positions from 305 in FY 2009 to 154 in FY 2010,” said Mary Mulrenan, public information officer for the library.  In addition, more than 100 full-time staff were also let go.

Calls for More Hours

Staff cuts required reduced hours at many libraries across Fairfax County. Regional libraries went from being open 65 hours a week to 54 hours a week.  Community branches went from 59 hours a week to 47 hours a week.

But now, restoration of hours is the concern of citizens and supervisors.

"More hours of operation was No. 1, 2 and 3 on everyone's list," said Clay of his town hall meetings last summer.  "Even the surveys we did this past fall echoed that — more hours, more hours, more hours, more hours," he said.

During recent budget discussions, Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth asked Clay to provide a list of restoration options, including costs, for library hours. 

The Library Board reviewed options prepared by library staff, and voted Wednesday night to provide the Board of Supervisors with five options: two for regional libraries and three for community libraries.

Option One: With no additional funding, the library board is prepared to restore 24 hours a week at the regional libraries by adding three hours to each of the eight libraries.  This would mean that as of September 2012, regionals would be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays.  They currently are open Mondays from 1 to 9 p.m.  Sam Clay said this is possible because it can be accomplished without additional staff.

“The Library Board has identified the regionals as our major asset, and that’s why we’re focusing on them,” Clay said. Of the 21 libraries in Fairfax County, eight are regionals.

Option Two: If the Board of Supervisors does not cut the $324,000 from the library budget, the Library Board could restore 72 hours a week to the regional libraries.  In this scenario, the regional libraries would be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Clay said this is only possible with the money intact because it requires the addition of 24 15-hour positions.

The three options for adding hours to the community branches all require adding money to the budget — a minimum of $509,600. “It would take $1.2 million to hire the staff needed to take the community libraries back to their original 59 hours a week,” said Clay.

Empahsis on Buildings or Staff Debated

Library Board Member Fegan voiced concern the board was putting emphasis on buildings over staff.  “We’ve asked a heck of a lot of our staff over the years, and jumbled their lifestyle with these crazy hours,” he said.  “We owe it to our staff to give them back a decent work schedule. There comes a point where we have to show the staff that we care,” he said.

Cuts in hours and staff meant workers had to be moved around, transferred into locations and even positions they didn't really want, but took to ensure having a job, and scheduled to work alternating days, nights and weekends.

Braddock District Library Board Member David Ray saw it differently. “I generally favor hours over staff,” said Ray.  “I’m partial to accessibility and hours over positions, because if people can get in the door, they can do something.” 

Fegan disagreed. “We can’t have hours without staff,” he said.

No Longer a Cutting-Edge Library System

Beyond hours, staff and materials, FCPL has also lost services that once put it on par with leading library systems in the country.  "We've had to cut many services and programs," said Clay.

Budget cuts led to the dismantling of online homework help, and the library's Internet and Text "Ask a Librarian" service. FCPL is the only library system in the metropolitan area without these.  In addition, programs once run by librarians now require volunteers or are cancelled.

Many staff say they feel demoralized, but are fearful to speak openly. "I wish Sam Clay and the Library Board would have done more to advocate for libraries and library staff with the Board of Supervisors," said a management-level staff member who asked not to be named. 

Jennifer McCullough, president of Fairfax County Public Library Employee Association, said her group senses a rise in morale among library staff with the anticipation that there may be no further cuts. 

“One of the major stressors for staff right now is the holding open of positions to save money, especially at the smaller community libraries,” she said.  “Tonight I mentioned this to Mr. Clay, in relation to the potential cut included in the FY 2013 budget.  He’s asked me to email him so that we may continue that discussion,” she said.

"In the final analysis, the Board of Supervisors will have a workshop on the budget and that will be the place to make the decision as to what extent our cuts will be," said Clay.  “If the full cut stands, we will hold open six to seven positions," said Clay.

Full Disclosure: Patch Editor Susan Larson is a former Fairfax County Public Library employee.