Politics & Government
Library Cuts Hours, Along with Budget
In an effort to reduce expenses, the Yorkville Public Library announces shortened operating hours starting May 1.
The will shave 12 hours off its weekly hours starting May 1 and eliminate its Sunday hours during the summer as part of a series of budget cuts.
The library also is reducing its supply purchases and part-time staff hours. And a part-time maintenance man decided to donate his time, Library Director Michelle Pfister said.
She hopes the measures are temporary in light of the poor economy.
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“The full-time staff are going to have to step up to the plate and help out,” Pfister said.
The revised operating budget, which library board members approved last week, anticipates $736,950 in revenues and $1,060,275 in expenses, for an overall deficit of $323,325 for the fiscal year starting May 1. The library operations fund is expected to have a negative balance of $76,055 on April 30, 2012.
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Despite the projected deficit, library leaders cut more than a half-million in spending. The estimated $1.06 million in expenses for the coming fiscal year is a decrease from $1.65 million in expenses in this fiscal year and $1.51 million in expenses in the fiscal year ending April 2010.
Staff salaries are expected to decrease from $501,500 in this fiscal year to $434,000 in the next fiscal year, while employee benefit costs are expected to increase from $143,368 to $158,425.
However, the library expects to collect more property tax revenue: $1.39 million, up from $1.25 million in this fiscal year. Some $720,800 of that will go toward paying off debt.
The library also expects to have $337,000 in developer impact fees in savings on April 30, 2012. That money has to be used for capital purchases, not operating expenses.
The library’s budget is controlled by the eight-member library board and included in the city’s budget, City Administrator Bart Olson said. The property taxes are considered part of the city’s levy.
According to the library’s website, the operating hours change May 1 to:
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m.
The library will be closed on Sundays from June 5 to Sept. 11.
