For many years, the Monterey Public Library, a department of the City of Monterey, has provided a seven-day a week schedule of services and programs for people of all ages. For the past year, thanks to citywide contributions, these programs and services have continued. In August of 2010, this will change.

Last summer the Council approved a shared effort by the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Fund and employee groups to maintain funding for specific city programs, including the Library’s California History Room, Youth Services and Sunday open hours. Thanks to their effort, the community was spared a substantial reduction in library services; story times, local history research and over 30,000 Sunday visits to the Library were continued.

However, this one-time money is ending, and the City’s economic situation has worsened. The cost for continuing all city services at the level they are now continues to rise, while funding declines, affected by decreasing local revenues, unexpected State takeaways, and increasing employee costs. The City’s budget gap for this year and next is $5 million, and growing.

At their meeting, this Tuesday, the City Council approved a budget that includes citywide cuts, from police to planning to building maintenance to the Library. Several Library employees will face layoffs. The Library will be implementing service reductions in the coming months; I expect that by late summer the Library will be closed one day a week with additional reductions in library hours likely. A reduced open hours schedule will be presented to the Library Board at the June 23 meeting at the Library.

These are extraordinarily difficult and challenging times for communities, with no immediate or easy solution in sight. Some residents have suggested a TOT tax increase for November’s ballot, others have recommended further cutting employees, costs and benefits. For the upcoming year, all but one City employee group has agreed to salary concessions; services will be reduced and some employees will be lost.

At the Library - even with fewer open days and hours - we will continue to provide lifelong learning, skilled and service-focused staff, a welcoming community place - inspiration, delight and education for all. For the long-term, the Library Board, Friends and staff are working to enhance city funding and strengthen community investment in the Library through increased giving and endowment building.

We are determined to sustain California’s first public library, and its legacy of literacy, through the next 161 years.

I look forward to receiving your comments, questions and suggestions - via this blog, my email at buiburto@ci,monterey.ca.us or my work phone (831) 646-5601.