Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 58 °F Wind: NW at 5 mph Thursday, June 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 10, 2003 Karen, top, Lisa and Daniel Lion stop at the Medford Library on Monday to do some summer reading. Officials announced plans to cut library hours around the county in response to budget problems. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell New libraries, fewer hours Budget constraints will force Jackson County’s system of 15 libraries, including Medford’s new one under construction, to keep doors closed longer and reduce their staffing By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County’s 15 libraries will reduce hours July 1 by as much as 20 percent and eliminate the equivalent of 8.5 staff positions next month in a series of cost-cutting measures. "Other than the fact that we think it stinks, I don’t see anything we could say about this," said Scott Rayburn, chairman of the Jackson County Library Advisory Committee, after reviewing the reductions Monday. Hit by a revenue cut of $584,395 — 7.7 percent of its proposed 2003-04 budget — the library system will lose the equivalent of one senior librarian, 2.5 librarians, one senior library assistant, one senior library clerk and three library clerks. Three employees will retire, and about 10 full- and part-time employees will be laid off. Advertisement Book talks for students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be eliminated, and twice-yearly book talks for grades 6, 7 and 8 will be reduced to once a year. Meghan O’Flaherty, manager of the Medford Library, said deliveries of books to adult foster care facilities, the Rogue Valley Manor and other places will end. To make up some losses, library officials are considering raising or creating fees that could generate $150,000. At the same time, new libraries are opening throughout the county thanks to $38.9 million in voter-approved bonds. The new Medford library, which should be complete by the end of the year, will be open 46 hours a week, compared to 57 hours at the current site. Hours will be reduced at 11 of the 15 library sites. "In places like Shady Cove and White City, we’re already open too few hours," said County Library Director Ronnie Budge. Jacksonville and Applegate receive extra local or state funding that will minimize the reduction in hours, she said. Library patrons generally greeted the reductions with dismay Monday. "It makes me wonder where all our tax dollars are going," said Medford resident Jericha Wright, who was loading up on books for her son, Andy. She noted Medford schools’ budget cuts resulted in 10 fewer days of school this year. "We’re going to be old and gray and have a bunch of stupid kids taking care of us," she said. Medford resident Karen Lion said it’s important the library not cut back on hours. "I don’t think that’s very good," she said. "We need that available for our kids and ourselves." Talent resident Arlene Kelly, who prefers Medford’s library to Talent’s because it has a better selection of books, hoped the reduction would be temporary. "As long as it’s still available, we’re happy campers," she said. But 13-year-old Taylor Cruse of Medford was concerned about any reduction in hours because he comes to the library every day. "I’m here practically all day," said Taylor. "I like to use the Internet because I don’t have it at home." The library system was asking for a 15.36 percent increase from last year’s $6,967,899 budget to cover increased benefit costs in the Public Employees Retirement System. The book budget and number of employees were to remain the same. Fees on everything from books placed on hold but not picked up to increases in overdue charges are being considered to make up some losses. But some advisory committee members thought these fees could discourage some patrons — particularly the poor — from checking out books. Marie Reeder, a committee member from Rogue River, said, "The libraries, schools and other public services are down to making these ugly choices." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Effects on the three largest county branches Most Jackson County library branches will be open fewer hours each week beginning July 1 to accommodate county budget cuts. Here are the plans for the Medford, Ashland and Central Point branches: BRANCH MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. Old/New Medford 10-7 10-7 10-7 10-7 12-5 12-5 57/46* Ashland 12-7 12-7 10-6 10-6 12-5 12-5 50/40* Central Pt. 11-7 10-5 10-5 11-7 12-5 C 41/35* *Total number of hours libraries are open currently compared to the hours under the new schedule. C = closed. For information on smaller branch libraries, see Page 8. Source: Jackson County Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times