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Library hour reductions scheduled for Sept. 13
Posted on 08/25/2010
Staff Report STAMFORD -- Because of city budget cuts, The Ferguson Library is scheduled to reduce hours at the main library and branches as of Sept. 13. The Library Board of Trustees voted last week to make the cuts in order to close a $1.2 million budget deficit. "We deeply regret having to reduce public service. It's a painful decision no library ever wants to make," said Ferguson Library Board of Trustees Chair George Harvey, "but given the financial realities, we had no choice." In addition to reducing hours, the library will lay off 10 to 12 full-time employees and a still undetermined number of part-time staff, according to library officials. Management and supervisory staff have also taken salary cuts and unpaid furloughs to help make up the deficit. The library has been working hard to cut expenses and raise money in the face of reduced city support, according to library officials. Last year, the Ferguson raised nearly $750,000 (about 10 percent of its budget) from donations, fines, rental income from Starbucks, and passport services. None of these efforts has come close to raising the $1.2 million the library needs to keep operating at current levels, according to library officials. The Ferguson has also requested that the Board of Representatives enact a special "library fund" to close the budget gap. (See related story on Page 1). If this is successful, the hours of operation will be restored to the extent of the funding received, according to library officials. New Library Hours New hours as of Sept. 13: Main Library Sunday closed Monday 10 - 6 Tuesday 12 - 8 Wednesday 10 - 6 Thursday 12 - 8 Friday 10 - 6 Saturday 10 - 5 Harry Bennett Branch Sunday closed Monday closed Tuesday closed Wednesday 3 - 8 Thursday closed Friday closed Saturday 10 - 2 Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch Sunday closed Monday 3 - 8 Tuesday closed Wednesday closed Thursday closed Friday closed Saturday 10 - 2 South End Branch Sunday closed Monday closed Tuesday 10 - 3 Wednesday closed Thursday 2 - 7 Friday closed Saturday closed Bookmobile Wednesday 9 - 5
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