Thank you to all of you who answered the library’s supplemental request for donations. You should be proud to know that Leonians generously contributed nearly $35,000 in response to the campaign. This will certainly help close part of the budget gap this year, but we need to work towards restoration of the library funds that should be part of the municipal budget.
In October, all municipal departments, including the Leonia Library Board, will submit their annual budget requests to the Council to cover the cost of operating the Library from January through December 2017. They will do this along with other municipal departments. Each year, the Borough allocates an amount to the Library Board for salaries, materials and operating expenses. By law, the Library Board determines how to spend these funds -- both those allocated to it by the Mayor & Council and those it obtains supplementally.
The Library budget was cut in 2008 (3 people lost their jobs) and has not returned to 2008 levels. In 2008, the Library budget was $840,464. In 2015, it was $817,982. This year, it is $714,647. In order to meet this year’s $103,000 loss of tax dollars, the library reduced its hours and cut its staff. In July, it eliminated a full-time library assistant, a part-time archivist, and more than 60% of part-time worker hours.
The Mayor and Council typically do not officially adopt the 2017 budget until spring, after the start of the fiscal year, so it is critical that a preliminary understanding be reached as early as possible. During the time between the start of the process next month, and the final vote in the spring, the library board will meet with its Council liaison and the Finance Committee to come up with a workable budget. During this period, supporters of Leonia Reads should stay alert to the need to be vocal in their support to the Mayor and Council.
LeoniaReads would like to learn more about the budget process. We would also like to hear the views of candidates Bill Ziegler and Bernadette Flaim who are running for Town Council in the election on Nov 8. We are exploring the best way to accomplish these goals and will let you know our plans. If you have any suggestions for ways to help the library during these budget discussions, or wish to get more involved in ensuring a restoration of funds to the library, contact us.
Please communicate this information to your friends and neighbors who are not on our list and encourage them to join us. You can share this message by using the icons below.
Leonia Reads
