Libraries in Montgomery County are facing possible local budget cuts in addition to the state proposed budget cuts which would eliminate a vast amount of services libraries offer.

In the past, state libraries have taken reductions to the budget averaging $7 million a year due to the state of the economy, according to Texas Library Association (TLA) Director of Communications Gloria Meraz.

Pictured, Children’s Librarian Amanda Leiva at the Malcolm Purvis Library reads stories to children about how to express their feelings in the Children’s Reading Program on Feb. 3. Children pictured are (from top to bottom) Rebecca Husfeld, Lindsey Istre and Breanna Ewing.

However, with local budgets changing and the new proposed state budget, libraries could be losing several current programs, Meraz said.

“All of these cuts are coming on top of very steep local cuts,” she said. “The impact of these losses would be devastating.”

Within the Montgomery County Library System (MCLS) there are seven library locations.

According to Montgomery County Library Director Jerilynn A. Williams, the Commissioner’s Court has formed a budget reviewing committee which attempts to take measures to cut the costs of county departments.

This committee presented Williams with a survey asking “If you were mandated to cut 10 percent, where would the cuts be made?”

Williams explained that the MCLS had already received an overall 6 percent reduction two years prior.

“It is grossly unfair to ask the library to absorb a 10 percent reduction when we (MCLS) already absorbed 6 percent,” she said.

Williams explained that in fiscal year (FY) 2008 MCLS spent $828,000 in money received through the county. The following FY 2009 and FY 2010 MCLS spent $300,000 within the county budget.

The $500,000 difference was funded through state grants.

“We are spending locally $500,000 less, using state grants to fill in the gap,” she said.

However, the Texas Legislator has proposed a 99 percent reduction in state funding in library service programs and a 93 percent decrease in state funding for library resource sharing programs.

In 2010 the state budget was $28 million for the two-year cycle and the 2012-13 budgets dramatically reduces that number.

“It’s really a drastic situation this year,” Williams said.

According to Williams, the Loan Star Libraries, which would be eliminated, offers direct aid grants used to buy new books and host programs such as resume workshops, reading programs and help with taxes.

Programs such as the popular Summer Reading Program would be eliminated through this proposal, Williams explained.

In addition, funding for databases for universities, libraries and school districts such as the TexShare Database and K-12 Database would be eliminated which could impose a fee to obtain research.

Meraz explained that the databases are important because it offers valid information.

“They (citizens) need this timely authoritative information,” she said.

Local book reviewer and book seller Dana Wright expressed concern for state libraries in a letter to the Tribune.

“A lot of people don't realize what the library is anymore. It is more than shelves of old books. It is technology, learning, community and digital media,” Wright said.

Williams said it is imperative that the library offer programs that appeal to the residents and keeps an educated workforce. New mothers, parents who home school, businesses and residents looking to find employment come to the library for their needs, Williams added.

The Malcolm Purvis Library in Magnolia had more than 400,000 visits in FY 2010 which ended Sept. 30.

MCLS had an increase in traffic with 2 million items checked out last year. In Montgomery County, 43 percent of the population is registered members.

Although the county and state budget proposals have not gone into effect, Williams said “the picture is dire.”

Williams explained that through previous cuts the library system was already attempting to use funding wisely.

“We’re doing our best to maximize the dollars allocated,” she said. “We’re being as innovative and cost-conscious with the money we have been assigned.”

Meraz and Williams explained that if the state is unable to maintain the libraries, then libraries would not be able to receive $8 million in federal money.

Meraz encouraged residents to write to the Texas Legislators through the TLA website, www.txla.org, if they wish to take action.

More than 10,000 e-mails have gone through the TLA website to legislative officials, according to Meraz.

For more information about MCLS, visit www.countylibrary.org.

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