Excerpt: Libraries have been roughing it through tightening budgets over the years, though cuts have largely gone unnoticed by the public. But the prospect of losing municipal dollars — if the 2011-13 state budget survives intact — could mean some libraries will have to reduce hours or slash spending on books and other materials.
Either of those moves would put pressure on collection needs and create problems in how materials are shared.
Meanwhile, circulation and computer use has been on the rise.
Librarians say funding cuts are especially worrisome for smaller libraries, whose cash-strapped communities probably would look to them first for budget reductions.
"That's why that (maintenance-of- effort) law is there. To make sure you don't join a system and then ride on the coattails of every other municipality's funds and just benefit from being in the system," Rortvedt said.
Budget-tightening outcome.
Related article:
Gov. Walker sez adios to maintenance of effort requirement for public library system membership. (3/4/2011)
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