Sheboygan's Mead Public Library Facing 11% Cut in 2011 Budget

Link to October 8 Sheboygan Press article, "Library faces cuts. Mayor proposes $300K trim in Mead budget".

Excerpt: For the second year in a row, the Mead Public Library is facing major budget cuts that could reduce services and staff, as well as knock it out of the library system that allows it to share materials and services with other libraries in the region.

Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan last week proposed cutting $300,000, or 11 percent, from the $2,635,988 the Mead Public Library got last year.

That includes cutting three library jobs. It's part of Ryan's overall proposed budget that calls for cutting up to 24 city positions — including five police officers and six firefighters — to help close a $1.7 million budget shortfall without raising taxes.

Last year, Ryan proposed cutting $228,000 from the library and using those dollars to fill four open police officer positions.

Some at the time characterized that as a "cops vs. books" budget choice.

Not this year.

"Every department is being asked to cut back. The library has certainly not been singled out," Library Director Sharon Winkle said.

"With the continuing deficits we're facing, it's across the board," Ryan said.

Related articles:
Mayor offers his 2011 budget.  (10/5/2010)
Officials face $1,500,000 budget deficit in 2011.  (6/10/2010)
Council approves Mayor's new appointments to library board.  (4/28/2010)
Mayor questioned about library board appointments.  (4/26/2010)
Sheboygan Press Editorial Board supports library funding deal.  (11/27/2009)
Library likely to maintain its Maintenance of Effort funding.  (11/24/2009)
Update on library's Maintenance of Effort.  (11/20/2009)
Maintenance of Effort and the Mead Public Library.  (7/6/2009)