Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Mecklenburg County Manager Cuts $14.7 Million From Library Budget

Proposed Library Budget
$1,300,000,000 FY11 Mecklenburg County Budget
$17,678,177 FY11 Library Budget
Library budget is 1.3% of county budget

Link to May 18 Charlotte Observer article, "Meck budget proposal cuts $81.1 million from services".

And $14.7 million of this amount is being cut from the library budget.

Let's see; this means the Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries are shouldering 18% of the cuts.

18% compared to an overall reduction of 5.7%.  Apparently, some facts are more brutal than others.

And the County Manager admits it coulda been worse.

Excerpt from linked article:  The cuts are slightly smaller than the $85 million shortfall staff had said the county was facing for the budget year that starts in July.

But they will still bring pain, says Jones:

County libraries likely will have to close some branches and reduce hours at others after losing $14.7 million. The library was spared from even deeper cuts because it plans to consolidate its maintenance and security with the county.  [Emphasis added.]

As Patricia Cavill notes in "The Importance of Creating a Common Agenda"....

1.  People do things for their own reasons, not yours.

2.  People pay attention to the things they love and value.

It's clear the Henry Jones doesn't love and value libraries.  Charlotte and Mecklenburg County library adovcates...you've got your work cut out for you.

Related articles:
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today.  (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open.  (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution.  (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out.  (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts.  (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit.  (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task.  (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours.  (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday".  (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines.  (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches.  (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system.  (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote.  (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open.  (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives.  (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)

No comments: