Walker libraries cut hours to cut costs

By Andy Diffenderfer

Correspondent

Despite significant increases in library usage, troubling economic times are prompting the Cherokee Regional Library System in Northwest Georgia to cut back hours at two of its four branches.

System director Lecia Eubanks said starting Sept. 2, the LaFayette-Walker County and the Rossville branches will open four hours later on Thursdays, at 1 p.m., and close at 8 p.m.

"It's less access for patrons and gives them less flexibility to come and see us. It limits our availability," she said. "I think the library is one of the biggest economic development tools we have. It's truly the best bargain."

The Cherokee Regional Library system includes branches in Chickamauga and Trenton. Funding comes from the state, the cities in which they are located and local boards of education.

The total budgeted for the library system for fiscal year 2010 was $576,799. Broken down by library, that's $185,502 (LaFayette-Walker County), $138,410 (Rossville), $101,591 (Chickamauga), and $151,296 (Dade County).

Walker County also provides some funding, but Commissioner Bebe Heiskell said her $19 million budget won't stretch enough to add more.

"I think the library system is important, and that's why we put money in SPLOST for major renovations to LaFayette," she said.

"We have the lowest per capita cost for county government in the state, as far we can tell," she said. "I want the people to get the services they need."

Eubanks said the library can't raise money through taxation, so it is at the mercy of these funding sources.

LIBRARY REVENUES* 42 percent: Cities* 32 percent: Walker County* 14 percent: School boards* 6 percent: Library-generated revenues* 2 percent: State revenuesSource: Lecia EubanksLOCAL PER CAPITA REVENUESBy source for Cherokee Regional Library System* $30.36: City of Chickamauga* $10.68: City of LaFayette* $19.87: City of Rossville* $2.92: Walker CountySource: Lecia Eubanks

"Our hope is that the economic climate in Walker County will improve and that the importance of the library will be reflected in the budgetary support," Eubanks said. She cited double-digit percentage increases in books checked outs, computer usage and program attendance in LaFayette and Rossville.

Eubanks said a smaller state allowance for materials this year means each branch will be able to buy only 250 books his year. With staff working fewer hours, patrons may have longer wait, she said.

Tim York, manager of the LaFayette branch, said people who use the library to look for jobs could be affected, too.

"It's going to put some stress on them that shouldn't be there," York said. "We want to give them what they need, but if the funds aren't there, it greatly limits what we can do."

Rossville branch manager Carmella Clark said patrons won't be able to use the computers as much.

"When the economy is bad, library usage is up because people cut out some luxuries, like the Internet," said Clark. "I'm sure this will inconvenience them. We hope they'll understand."

Eubanks said the system will keep looking for funding and trying to find ways to restore and increase hours and services.

Added Clark, "We want to see the library grow, and we don't want it to go backward."

Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.

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