Roundup: MN: “Hennepin County Libraries to Limit Hours and Staffing” TX: “Dallas Libraries See Layoffs Ahead Of Budget Season With ‘No Sacred Cows'”

Massachusetts 

As Gov. Healey Weighs Library Bill, Readers Say: Let Librarians Decide
Source: Boston.com

Gov. Maura Healey has until next week to decide whether to sign a bill giving librarians more authority over what stays on their shelves, a measure that Boston.com readers overwhelmingly support.

The bill, S.2696, would put much of that authority in the hands of librarians and library staff. Under the proposal, staff could choose and display materials based on their professional judgment and training, rather than outside political pressure, provided the material is educationally and age-appropriate.

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We asked readers to weigh in on the legislation, and heard from readers on both sides. Of the 87 respondents to our poll, 82% said they’d support giving librarians the deciding power over their shelves, while 15% said they wouldn’t, and just 3 readers said their answer depends on the circumstances.

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Minnesota

Hennepin County Libraries to Limit Hours and Staffing
Source: Star Tribune

Libraries across Hennepin County plan to cut hours and limit staffing in order to slash $5 million from the system’s upcoming budget.

Hennepin County Library Director Scott Duimstra shared news of the planned cuts Thursday. Duimstra said the libraries are reviewing $5 million in cost reductions to “absorb higher costs associated with current service levels.”

The move would decrease hours among the system’s 41 libraries by 7%, translating to 140 hours a week. No libraries would close under the proposal, Duimstra said, but officials would hold a “significant” number of vacant jobs open.

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See Also: Library Hours Changing in 2027 (via HCL)

Texas

Dallas Libraries See Layoffs Ahead of Budget Season with ‘No Sacred Cows’
Source: Dallas Observer

An unknown number of Dallas public library employees were laid off on Friday, hours ahead of the expected release of a draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year that will likely include significant funding cuts.

A library programs staff member who spoke with the Observer on the condition of anonymity confirmed that they had been told told their position at a city library branch had been eliminated, but that they will remain employed through Sept. 30. The employee said they believe a majority of the library cuts center on adult learning programs like GED classes and English-language programming, and that more information would be made available in the coming days.

“This is pretty disheartening to me, but it’s even more so that this is such a huge impact on the community,” the staff member said. “We had those classes full every single day that we would have them.”

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Filed under: Funding, Jobs, Libraries, News, Public Libraries, Roundup