Library Staff Spread Thin For Heavy Duties

The Wheaton Public Library has fallen on tough financial times in the past couple years.

But during the Library Board meeting Monday, Sept. 20, members discussed how it has worked to retain services and personnel on a smaller budget. The City Council has cut $600,000 from the library's budget over the last two fiscal years, according to Library Board President Colleen McLaughlin.

"That's up to the City Council to decide what additional cuts it would put on each of the departments and the library, which is a separate entity," McLaughlin said. 

During the first year, 2008, the board made internal moves, cutting materials and databases. The staff did not get any raises, one position was cut and benefits for long-term part-time employees were lost. 

The second year was not so fortunate, with staff required to take the equivalent of 26 furlough days, which is about 10 percent of their salaries, according to McLaughlin. However, she said that the furloughs have saved the library $250,000. 

"We had to cut $300,000 from our budget, so there wasn't that much we could cut while still offering our core services, McLaughlin said. 

Library Director, Sarah Meisels said that reduced pay and budget are only part of the story as the library is understaffed for a city of Wheaton's size.  Library Director Sarah Meisels said the staff is spread thin. 

"We never replaced the children's librarian who retired and a number of our part-time positions have been eliminated," Meisels said. The staff has to do multiple jobs, she added, "Other libraries have somebody to focus on one area, where our people do five to ten things.

"It's a little hectic because we are one of the most used libraries in the state and one of the most prestigious. We try to keep up our basic services that people have become accustomed to and which they want to continue with reduced staff and hours." 

The library is open for 61.5 hours per week, under the 72 standard hours recommended for a city of Wheaton's size. 

The Library Board will apply for the Public Library Per Capita Grant for Fiscal Year 2011. This grant is through Secretary of State Jesse White's office and might range from $56,000 to $60,000, depending on the funding rate, according to Meisels.  

"The grant used to be a $1 per capita, and in some good years $1.25," she said. "It varies to what they could afford, so we don't know what exactly what it's going to be." 

The most utilized library databases are the main area the grant goes to. Some databases are Reference USA, newspapers and genealogy records. 

"That's what we use it for, but other libraries could use it for different things," Meisels said. "We have a fair amount of discretion." 

Also in Monday's meeting, the board voted to close the library for "holiday Sundays," on Dec. 19, 26 and Jan. 2, in addition to Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1, and sent its 2009-10 annual fiscal report to the State of Illinois.