Friday, August 27, 2010

Small Steps in Reversing Downward Trend at St. Paul Public Library


Link to August 20 St. Paul Pioneer Press article, "St. Paul Public Library system sees some growth".

Excerpt:   Here's a word you don't hear much of these days when it comes to libraries: expansion.

The St. Paul Public Library system would gain the equivalent of half an employee next year, growing to 169.4 workers, up from 168.8 today, under a budget proposal unveiled this week. That's modest growth by any definition, but it's a step in the right direction, say library stewards, given the virtual bloodletting that occurred a few months ago when the library system shed 19 positions, or 10 percent of its staff.

The 6/10ths of a position is funded by a grant from the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.

Some additional budget maneuvering means that several libraries that close at 8 p.m. weekdays would be able to stay open until 9 p.m. as necessary, allowing the Friends group to continue author readings and the like past closing.

"In some libraries where we're closed at 8 instead of 9, it kind of kills programming," said library director Kit Hadley during her presentation to the St. Paul Library Board this week
.

No comments: