CHESTER — Local library officials are shelving some programs and hours of operation due to financial constraints and the economy.
The Chester Public Library will reduce its hours of operation and will also curtail purchases of new materials due to less income coming in from its trust fund support and also lingering national economic woes.
Library director Tim Sheehan said the library will reduce its hours by six hours per week beginning Nov. 1 and will also reschedule programs and reduce the amount of items it purchases for its collection.
"Our library is heavily dependent on investment income," Sheehan said. "Because of the stock market crash, income from our trust funds is half what we received last year."
Last year, the library received $27,914.08 from its trust funds. This year, the library will get $14,063.72. The town appropriates another $87,028.68.
"The board of trustees and myself feel that we need to alter our planned spending to make up for the loss of income," Sheehan said, adding the library also received revenue from other sources like fax and copy services, plus donations, but it's not enough to cover costs if cuts aren't made now.
The library's hours will be reduced by six hours per week as of Nov. 1. The library will be closed on Fridays and will close at 6 p.m. on Thursdays, bringing the total hours of operation per week down to 30. A Twilight Party planned for Nov. 6 will be rescheduled to a later date in 2010.
The reduction in library hours will not cause any staff layoffs, Sheehan said.
In addition to less hours, the library will reduce the amount of items it buys for its collection.
"It make take us a while to get the latest books, videos, and audio books," Sheehan said. "It's a shame. A library should have a fresh collection with the latest titles available."
He added he feels the town's Trust Fund Committee should provide quarterly reports to town departments to give department heads a chance to track the trust funds' performance and better plan budgets.
"They don't let us know what we are receiving until this time of year," he said. "When we receive less than we expect, as happened this fiscal year, then we have to reevaluate our budget and make adjustments.
The library's new hours as of Nov. 1 are: Monday, 3 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 3 to 8 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, closed; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, and closed Sunday.
Anyone wishing to view the library's "wish list" online and interested in assisting with donations of books or other materials can visit www.chesterlibrary.com.
