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Library to see boost in hours, staffing
7/11/2012 9:32:56 AM
By Kelly Moore
Splash Staff Writer
A narrow vote Tuesday will make a big difference on Mondays at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library. The City Council approved a budget amendment in a 4-3 tally, adding $24,000 to the library's budget for the remainder of the year.
The adjustment will fund a staffing increase in the department. Within the increase, $20,000 will bump part-time adult services librarian Dan Pringle to full-time status, and $4,000 will be allocated to increasing additional clerk hours. Library Director Pamela Mogen said the increased staffing will allow the library to open on Mondays, a change that will most likely take effect in September.
Council discussions on the amendment began May 15 during a presentation for a proposed ordinance to regulate how the library department's funding is calculated. The same presentation included a staff recommendation to consider a budget amendment applying the provisions of this policy to the current budget, which was included in a memo in the Council packets for the May 15 meeting and the current meeting.
In addition, Council Member Shane Brickner spoke on behalf of the Council's finance committee May 15, urging Council members to not only approve the funding ordinance June 5, but also a 2012 budget amendment to include a prorated amount for the current year. The funding ordinance was passed June 5, and a first read of the budget amendment was passed unanimously June 19 with no discussion.
"I support the (June 5) ordinance we passed a couple weeks ago, but I think we've already operated further outside of our 2012 budget than I feel comfortable with, and I'd urge the Council not to support this," Council Member Josh Beckett said of the amendment. Advertisement
Council Member Odin Langford also questioned whether the amendment was a necessary expense for the current budget.
"The library is a victim of its own success," Mogen said in an impassioned response to council member concerns. "Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I cannot do it all. I've reached my limit. … I put in 10- and 12-hour days, and I can't do it anymore."
She added the additional funding was targeted to increasing hours for a specific librarian qualified to help her increase services and plan for the future, and the additional library operating hours were a "bonus."
Beckett proposed tabling the budget amendment vote until the July 16 meeting, but other Council members voted to move forward with the decision. The budget amendment passed with Beckett, Langford and Lori Olander opposing.
Finance Director RJ Stevenson said the budget amendment would take five days to effectively boost the library's funding.
The library has been open five days - and 40 hours - per week since Jan. 4, 2011, when a new budget took effect that included deep cuts and a new utility tax. The changes were made at the time to help offset forecasted shortfalls, and at one point in the budgeting process the library faced the possibility of only being open 24 hours per week.
Prior to the 2011 changes, the library was open 46 hours per week, and the Council's action Tuesday is expected to restore that number. At the time, Mogen said Monday was the library's busiest day of the week, but it was cut to maintain weekend hours and consecutive days off for the staff.
In other business:
• Stevenson presented a mid-year budget update, with key budgeting dates tentatively scheduled throughout the remainder of the year. A public hearing to gather community feedback on budgeting priorities will be held during the City Council meeting July 17.
• A committee proposed preliminary plans for installing a fitness course with equipment based in city parks to honor fallen military heroes.
• Brickner said the city had formed a team for next week's Relay For Life event at Meadowwood Technology Campus, and he encouraged people to participate.
"It's a great cause, and it's very inspirational," Brickner said. "I challenge you all to sign up because the more people we have supporting this cause, the better."
• Before adjourning, the Council held an executive session to discuss litigation and potential litigation.
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