Library revenue declines
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By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: October 2, 2009
CAVENDISH — Cavendish Fletcher Community Library Director Kata Welch should be thrilled.
The number of visitors and books being checked out are on the rise. But the increased demand in services is coming at a time when revenue is declining, and Welch along with library trustees might soon have to make some difficult decisions that could negatively affect the community.
"When financial times are tough, people tend to cut back on frills, like books and movies," Welch said. "We have this challenge where we have to provide more services with less money."
The library is open more than 50 hours a week between Monday and Saturday, and during the last three years the library has grown busier. In 2007, visitors checked out 7,680 items. In 2008, that number jumped to 8,616 and so far this year the library has seen 7,736 items borrowed as it heads into the busiest time of year, Welch said.
"My guess is we're going to have 10,000 in circulation this year," Welch said.
The number of visitors is also up, from 11,041 in 2007 to 12,554 in 2008. Numbers for this year were not available.
While it's clear more people are visiting more and borrowing more, it's equally clear revenue is down. While taxpayer support is level at $33,800, revenue from the library's endowment — which is invested in a mutual fund and lost value as the stock market fell — dropped 25 percent from last year to this year, from $40,000 to $30,000.
"We're operating at a loss," Welch said of the $10,000 deficit for a library that has a budget of $78,992.
Martha Reid, state librarian for the Vermont Department of Libraries, said Cavendish's situation is far from unique.
"My impression of what I hear, both locally and nationally, is that libraries are suffering," Reid said. "That's the irony: When people need libraries the most, revenue is declining."
Around the state, Reid said, attendance at library programs is increasing as people look for free entertainment. Computer use is also increasing as people cut Internet access expenses from their household budgets and use library computers to look for work, research scholarships and financial aid or engage in distance learning.
"Libraries provide valuable services to the community, and (in) this economy now even more so," Reid said.
Welch said library officials are considering a number of options, including cutting hours, cutting well-attended after-school programs for pupils in kindergarten through sixth grade and cutting evening programs, such as the recent "Dinner and a Movie" series that paired a movie with food that reflected the movie's theme.
Also on the table is the possible sale of the three-volume set of books "The Indian Tribes of North America," which dates from 1836 and is valued between $70,000 and $100,000.
"We're trying to find some creative ways to increase funding," Welch said. "People don't want to pay more taxes, which I totally understand, but there is a need for these services in town."
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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