Gwinnett County Public Library: Cuts in Funding = Reduced Hours (Proposed)

Gwinnett libraries might close two days a week.   (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/16/2011)

Excerpt:   Gwinnett County library patrons might find their local branch closed two days each week if a plan to balance the budget by reducing hours is approved.

The library system is struggling to cope with lost funding from the county and state this year and library officials say cuts made in staffing hasn't been enough to keep the doors open seven days a week.

Though the details have not been decided, Executive Director Nancy Stanbery-Kellam announced a proposal last week to reduce library hours from 53 per week to 40. The library’s Board of Trustees could vote on a specific plan in November.

Deputy Director Liz Forster said library officials will consider feedback from patrons when deciding when Gwinnett’s 15 library branches will close, but added, “It won’t make everybody happy, no matter what.”

Library officials have warned that hours would be reduced since the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners cut library funding by $2.8 million – or 15 percent – in January. The library also lost $138,000 in state funding this year, a 13 percent reduction.

Related articles:
Gwinnett libraries continue to struggle.  (5/10/2011)
Metro Atlanta public libraries continue to tighten their belts.  (1/26/2011)
Gwinnett County Library budget cut by 15%. (1/8/2011)
Library's 2011 Budget cut by 15%.  (12/2/2010)