Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees Approves Furloughs of 609 Full- and Part-Time Employees (72% of Library Staff)

From The Dispatch:

Monday, the Columbus Metropolitan Library board of trustees voted to furlough 609 full- and part-time employees. That’s 72% of its 846 staff members.

The decision was announced following a lengthy executive session to discuss personnel matters.The furloughs are effective April 19.

All furloughed employees hold positions whose job functions can’t be performed remotely, according to a news release. In some libraries elsewhere, virtual story times and other limited services are being offered.

Health benefits for those enrolled will continue for all employees. An employee assistance program provided by the library will also be available for all affected employees.

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From a Columbus Metropolitan Library News Release

“To help get Columbus Metropolitan Library through this period of great uncertainty, we had to make some incredibly hard decisions to reduce our operating costs,” said CEO Patrick Losinski. “I want the community to know that each and every one of our staff members are incredibly important to the work that we do, and we look forward to having everyone back to work following this unprecedented public health crisis.”

CML has already significantly reduced planned expenditures in its non-salary operating 2020 budget and announced a hiring freeze and other cost-saving measures that equate to more than $7.8 million.

Those employees not furloughed will be subject to pay reductions ranging from 2.5% to 10%. The salary of CML’s CEO will be reduced by 20%.

Read the Complete News Release

Filed under: Libraries, News