The reduced hours that took effect nearly two weeks ago at the Champaign Public Library are unlikely to change anytime soon.
Library director Marsha Grove said the altered schedule — the main library closes at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, while opening at 10 a.m. on Saturdays instead of 9 a.m. — are likely to remain in place during the school year, and perhaps well into the future.
“There has always been a year-round schedule because it is less confusing for people,” Grove said. “I know some libraries around the country have a different summer schedule than their school year schedule, and usually those are quite different. We don’t anticipate making any changes at this time. We’d have to take away hours (at another time). We don’t have (enough staff) to staff the desk.”
Hours were reduced starting July 1 because of a budget shortfall. The Douglass Branch facility also saw a reduction, closing at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The library board’s decision to reduce hours was part of a cost-saving plan that included voluntary buyouts for eligible employees. The move follows a series of staff cuts in recent years.
The library’s funding — through property taxes — has essentially been flat for the better part of a decade, and rising expenses have forced cutbacks, with the reduced hours the latest move.
Recent projections do not provide hope that things will be significantly different in the near future.
“(The county) does a forecast with the best knowledge they have, and it looks like property taxes do get better over the next five years but not enough to bring us back the $500,000” that was cut, Grove said. “It will alleviate some tightness in our budget but I don’t foresee being able to add staff back for maybe three or four or five years. Other things could change, although I don’t know what that might be.
“The good news is we will not have to make further cuts. The not so good news is it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to add staff back.”