Westport Public Library Issues SOS

The Westport Public Library put out a call for help today to "Save Our Sundays."

The SOS is an effort to mobilize support for the library's request for budget restoration, which is now scheduled to go before the Representative Town Meeting on May 3. Without restoration, the library expects to close 16 Sundays this year, which will likely occur over the summer and holiday weekends.

Much like many town departments, the library budget was not immune to cuts in funding at the Board of Finance's restoration meeting earlier this month.

The board cut the library's budget by $100,000. When the library returned for restoration, it asked for $45,000 back. The board denied that request.

The $45,000 is what it costs to operate 16 Sundays at the library. The library is only open for four hours on Sundays, and attracts about 1,000 people during that time frame. That's only 600 people fewer than the traffic that walks thorugh the library doors during the week.

"We're hoping that people will contact their RTM representatives to let them know how important the library is to them," said George Wagner, assistant director for administrative services at the library. 

While library personnel understand the town's need to keep a tight budget, Wagner said the library is experienceing a record year in terms of service and requires the funding to maintain that level of service.

For the past two years, library usage has increased by double digits. It has been used as the No. 1 resource for Westporters looking for jobs. It's also attracted a packed house for its free programs and work spaces this year. A record 2,200 children participated in the summer reading program last year, many of whom attended the library on Sundays. 

While usage and number of patrons has been on the rise, the library has also served a key role during townwide emergencies. During the March 13-14 nor'easter, the libary provided a refuge for those without heat or power for days.

At the board's restoration meeting, library director Maxine Bleiweis spoke of the library's importance to the town and its need for funding.

"Never have I felt as geat a need to provide more service to a community than during this year," she said at that meeting. "People who never thought they'd need the library have made their way inside."

She also said the budget the library presented was "as sound a budget as she'd ever prepared."

When a flat budget was required last year, the library negotiated with employee unions for an "unprecedented, one-time only give back of contracted wages," according to an e-mail that went out to library subscribers today.

This year, the library requested a 2.8 percent budget increase while seeking savings by drawing down the endowment, reducing staff and cutting the budget for purchasing new books.

When the board cut $100,000, library administrators said they further tightened the libary's belt by cutting more staff hours, reducing the health insurance line for staff who opt out and using funds from a bequest.

Staff returned to the board asking for less than half of what was cut, but said without that $45,000, the library has no other choice but to close on 16 Sundays.

"There's only so much you can do with record usage," Wagner said.

In meetings since the Board of Finance restoration meeting, Wagner said the RTM Library, Museum and Arts Committee voted to send a letter to the full RTM recommending restoration.

The RTM Finance Committee has not voted on the request but will do so at its next meeting on Tuesday. The request goes to the full RTM on May 3, which includes a public hearing.

Library staff is urging the public to speak at that meeting and/or write to RTM members asking for the funding restoration.

"We're hoping for the best," Wagner said.

For more information or to learn how to participate, go to the library's Web site by clicking here.