AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PUBLIC ON LIBRARY SERVICE REDUCTIONS
Dear Library Patron, 2009 marks a difficult time for our community. We know you rely on your library more than ever, as library use statistics are up 15% over last year. With city revenues down by 10%, this trend is expected to continue for some time. City Council implemented Library budget reductions effective January 5, 2009. As a result, the Library will reduce costs by $ 40,000 during the next 5 months. In July, it is anticipated that another 10% (or $ 200,000) will be reduced from the Library budget. In response to staff layoffs, we plan to use our remaining personnel and resources in new ways. Here some changes you will see. Main Library will close at 5 PM on Fridays; service hours were 72 per week in 2002; they are now 62 hours per week; Main Library schedule will be: Monday-Thursday: 10 AM-9 PM; Friday & Saturday: 10 AM-5 PM; Sunday 1 PM- 5 PM; Easton Branch schedule remains the same: Monday-Thursday: 2 PM-8 PM; Friday and Saturday, 2 PM-5 PM; Sunday: Closed; Public Desk staffing has moved from double staffing to single staffing, with an anticipated increase in queuing for the public; In the coming months, we will implement a Joint Service Desk, combining Reference/Information with Circulation for greater efficiency and "one-stop" service for users at the front of the Library; The collection budget is 35% lower than in 2003; we plan to supplement with Library Foundation support; If you have suggestions for changes in service or concerns about changes, please feel free to contact me or leave a suggestion in our suggestion box. Rest assured that library staff is pledged to provide excellent customer service even during this difficult time. I personally appreciate the community's support of the Library during this, our Centennial year, as well as in the years to come. Your support of the Burlingame Library Foundation will continue to enhance our collections and services. Sincerely, Alfred Escoffier City Librarian
- Written by Joe
Has anyone been notified that Randy Schartz of the PR resigned last week?
Posted by: JD | January 31, 2009 at 05:25 AM
The next Burlingame library sale will be in April.
If you would like to donate your gently used books, dvd's, videos, cd's to this event, please drop them off at the main library.
All proceeds (either from those featured on
Alibris or sold at the book sale) benefit our programs and events.
It is a good cause!
Posted by: | February 06, 2009 at 02:50 PM