By Dave Stafford, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Facing an estimated 2010 shortfall of $750,000, the Anderson Public Library Board on Wednesday weighed several possible cost-cutting options, the least popular of which is closing the Lapel Branch Library.
“We use the library on a regular basis,” said Hilary Eppert of Lapel, who attended Wednesday’s board meeting with several Lapel parents and children who urged the board to spare the library, even if its hours must be cut.
The library’s closure “would be a tragic thing that would happen to our town ... that is the core, the center of our town.”
The board received a list of proposed savings that could trim $800,000 to $1 million from the library system’s budget next year. Members will evaluate and rank the options and present the results at the next meeting on July 15.
Options the board is considering include:
• Closing Lapel or cutting service, saving up to $300,000.
• Cutting as many as 13 staff positions, saving up to $300,000.
• Reducing money transfers to the library improvement fund, saving up to $185,000.
• Ending or cutting Bookmobile service, saving up to $71,000.
• Reducing hours at the Main Street library, possibly closing for one week, for an undetermined savings.
• Adjusting outreach, maintenance, technical and other services, saving a total of nearly $100,000.
“My fear is that we will have to do all of them,” said Anderson Public Library Executive Director Sarah Later. “I don’t want to surprise anybody. That’s why we’re talking about it now.”
Later said the library system’s budget will have shrunk from an expected $5.2 million this year to possibly as little as $4 million next year, if revenue estimates hold true.
“It’s going to be devastating,” she said.
Michele Anderson, who lives in Lapel and is a teacher in the Anderson Community Schools system, said Bookmobile service to schools could be eliminated, since most schools have their own libraries.
John Hagerman of Lapel urged the board to consider the message that would be sent to young people if the branch closed.
“To take this away,” he said, “I believe it’s a little short-sighted.”
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
