The state budget passed by lawmakers on July 13, reduced the Public Library Fund by approximately $84 million (11%) over two years in the 2010-2011 budget.

Unfortunately, due to lower revenues, funding had already been reduced by 20%, so in total, public library budgets were reduced 31% in the state's spending plan for 2010-11.

The Elyria Public Library System has lost $550,000 in 2009 and will lose another $700,000 in 2010. On top of that there is also the possibility of a 10% reduction in the monies to be received from the county due to the re-assessments of property valuation.

“We are very fortunate to have received the support of our communities, especially in these tough economic times. This past May, Elyria (Website | Profile) passed the 1.9 mills replacement/renewal levy. An 0.8 mills operating levy was passed in LaGrange. Without those local monies the cuts would have been devastating,” said Dr. William McFadden, EPLS Board President.

“Maintaining services for our patrons was our top priority,” said Janet Stoffer, Library Director. “We looked at the entire workings of the library system and reorganized it to continue the customer and library service you’ve come to expect and yet still stay within our budget constraints.”

Eleven employees will be laid off—two management and nine bargaining unit positions. In addition, a retirement incentive plan will be offered to employees, as well as voluntary layoff.

Hours at the Central and West River libraries will be reduced from 62 hours a week down to 48 hours a week. Those hours will be Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, Noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.

The Bookmobile will no longer operate five days a week, but only three, with a half-day spent in the LaGrange (Profile) area.

The new hours will take affect Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009.