The Providence Public Library finance committee received a draft fiscal 2007 budget Tuesday morning. As drafted, the budget maintains current levels of services for the library’s 10 branches, and shows a $700,000 shortfall for city library services and a $200,000 shortfall for privately funded programs and capital costs.
The fiscal 2007 city library budget is projected at $5.1 million and the projected budget for privately funded programs and state services is $4.2 million.
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The 2007 draft budget assumes that city library services will continue to operate 367 hours in 10 branches throughout Providence. However, increases in fixed costs leave a $700,000 hole in the budget.
Among the increases: Electric costs up 50 percent; fuel costs up by 66 percent; employee costs up 6 percent – including a 12 percent increase in health insurance costs.
“Substantial increases in fixed costs, such as utility payments, health care for employees and pension funding have pushed our budget into the red,” said Doreen Burgers, Providence Public Library finance director.
Faced with the challenge of providing quality library services for the city that are both affordable and sustainable, Providence Public Library, Providence city officials and community representatives have been working on a long-term plan to provide a blueprint for the future.
The strategic planning team is scheduled to present its findings in May.
“We are looking at innovative ways to deliver more efficient library services,” said Dale Thompson, library director.
The organization’s funding comes from a variety of sources:
City library services at the 10 branches are currently funded with $3 million from the city of Providence and $1.3 from the state of Rhode Island.
Enrichment programs, such as early childhood, family literacy, after-school programs, Spanish reading programs, Whiz Kids computer programs, teen mentoring and book and music events, along with administration and capital expenses are funded with private funds. The $3.2 million in private funds includes an annual draw from Providence Public Library’s endowment, grants and corporate and individual contributions.
The Statewide Reference Resource Center is contracted by the state of Rhode Island at $1 million.
The projected $200,000 capital shortfall reflects the projected costs for basic maintenance repairs to the library network’s buildings.
