Miami-Dade Public Library System Faces Challenge of Managing $20 Million Budget Cut and Keeping All 49 Branches Open

Without more tax dollars, Miami-Dade library system would fire more than half its full-time staff. (Miami Herald, 4/10/2014)

Assuming a referendum will fail?  The draft budget assumes no increase in the coming fiscal year in the special property tax that funds the library system, which has been relying on cash reserves since 2010. The tax currently generates $30 million, but the library’s current budget is $50 million and cash reserves are forecast to be gone by the fall. Mayor Carlos Gimenez says he will not endorse higher taxes without a referendum, leaving library administrators to map out how they would manage a 40 percent drop in funding. 

The mayor received too much flak last year when he recommended closing "less popular" branches.

Related posts:
New Dade County administrators' plan: Keep all library branches open, slash hours of operation.  (8/28/2013)
The sustainable funding challenge.  (8/7/2013)
And throw in a few Little Free Libraries for good measure.  (7/20/2013)
Finally starting anew at the Aventura Northeast Branch Library.  (4/5/2012)
13 of 49 Miami-Dade County Public Library branches on chopping block.  (11/19/2011)