TN State Library Cuts Ameliorated by Federal Stimulus Funds
Temporary funds would stave off most layoffs, as well as cuts in services and materials
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 03/08/2010
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- Proposed budget cut nine percent
- Three out of 12 regional offices closed; staff maintained for one year
- Federal funds provide one-year opportunity for retooling
The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has dodged a bullet, but only for a year, as a proposed budget cut of nine percent would be reduced to two percent thanks to federal stimulus funds.
The proposed FY10-11 budget, if ratified by the state legislature, would take effect July 1. TSLA would lose state funds for service hours and staff, regional library offices, and materials for regional libraries
However, federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 would minimize those cuts. "These funds give us more time to do a thorough analysis… talk to libraries within the regional system to determine priorities," Secretary of State Tre Hargett told LJ. "It will be a unique opportunity to retool libraries." TSLA is part of the Tennessee’s Department of State.
Impact of cuts
According to a spreadsheet sent anonymously to LJ and confirmed by Hargett, state funding for public service hours at TSLA would cut hours from 60 to 37.5 a week, abolishing seven positions for a savings of $331,800. However, federal funds would stave off these cuts for one year.
Delivery of various TSLA services would be reduced by $415,000 in state funds, but five out of seven positions would be retained for one year with $261,000 in federal funds. Two positions would remain vacant.
Regional libraries
Three out of 12 regional library offices, which serve as training centers and book transfer depots, would be closed, part of a loss of $1,084,500 in state funds. However, $801,000 in funding would be used to retain 14 staffers for one year. Going forward, said Hargett, "We may decide that we have need of more or less than nine offices."
Four library systems—Chattanooga-Hamilton Bicentennial Library, Memphis Public Library & Information Center, Knox County Public Library, and Nashville Public Library—serve as regional libraries and get additional state support. TSLA’s contribution to their materials budget would be cut by 50 percent ($182,000). Nashville’s hearing impaired services would be halved by $88,000.
But both of these amounts would be restored for one year, thanks to federal funds..
Budget resolved by July 1
The Tennessee State Legislature will be conducting hearings over the next two weeks to finalize budget proceedings. But the state budget often has been finalized at the last moment.
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