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By BONNIE ADAMS [email protected]
Saturday, December 20, 2003 Page: 3A
Layoffs at the Osterhout Free Library take effect in less than two weeks,
and shorter library hours are planned for the Hoyt Library, but their
executive directors still hope state legislators will restore some funding.
Libraries throughout Pennsylvania have prepared for an anticipated 50
percent state funding cut in 2004; the budget impasse has lasted for nearly
six months into the fiscal year.
Osterhout Executive Director Diane Suffren said Friday that a restoration
of partial state funding could result in some jobs and library materials being
restored. “I think we’re still in the wait mode until the final outcome.”
On Thursday, Gov. Ed Rendell, legislative leaders and their top aides
worked to finalize details of a $1 billion tax package that would give
libraries $10 million of the $37.6 million that was cut.
The Osterhout, in Wilkes-Barre, expects 20 layoffs to begin on Jan. 1 and
some branches could close. The layoffs are planned to offset $435,000 less in
state funding for the Osterhout.
The library expects to reduce hours by 25 percent, suspend some children’s
outreach services and stop offering open computer labs and classes.
The Hoyt Library, in Kingston, has already halted computer classes until
there is adequate staff to teach them. The library employs four full-time
employees and 20 part-time employees but Executive Director David Marks does
not anticipate layoffs.
Marks said the library will shorten its hours by 12 hours a week starting
Jan. 2.
The Hoyt’s 2003 budget was $512,000, but next year’s budget is $472,000. A
50-percent cut in state funding would mean $75,000 less for the library next
year as compared to this year.
Bonnie Adams, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7241.