Detroit Public Library to Reduce Staff by 20%

Detroit Public Library

Detroit Public Library to cut 83 workers. (Detroit Free Press, 2/27/2011)

Excerpt: It's the troubling consequence of an economic downturn: Funding drops while the demand for government services rises.

The Detroit Public Library is no exception.

Facing what leaders call an unprecedented fiscal crisis, the 23-branch system plans to reduce its staff by 20%, or 83 employees, at the end of March. Library officials also are weighing branch closures and fewer hours of operation.

The culprit is plummeting property values that are eroding dozens of government services across metro Detroit.

While library visits increased 16% over the past three years in Detroit, funding dropped roughly 30%, creating a deficit that could exceed $10 million, according to library records. The library's budget is $50 million. Most of that money comes from a 3-mill tax on Detroit residents.

Related article:

Budget woes.  (2/5/2011)