Georgia: Library System Seeks Additional $200K From County as State Continues To Slash Budget

From the Gainesville Times:

In some ways, the Hall County Library System is a microcosm of how budget cuts impacted public services during the economic recession.
[Clip]
And a double whammy of cuts from the local and state level “made it really difficult” for the library system in recent years, said Hall County Commission Chairman Richard Mecum.
Two branches were shuttered in Hall County as the library system’s budget fell to about $2.6 million this year from about $3.7 million in 2008.
Layoffs, a reduction in hours of operation and furlough days for workers were among the cuts made.
But while funding has been restored for many programs at both the local and state levels as the economy recovers, libraries continue to face the pinch.
For example, the county library system will lose about $83,000 in funding from the state in the 2016 fiscal year, which begins July 1, resulting in the loss of at least one employee.

Read the Complete Article (approx. 700 Words)

Filed under: Funding, Libraries, Public Libraries