TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Libraries, readers adjust to altered schedules

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: October 25, 2009

TAMPA - Twice-weekly trips to the library are a treat for Luu Crosby's 2-year-old granddaughter.

"She's a bookworm," said Crosby, who last week sat cross-legged on a bench at Jan Platt Library as Camryn Ryan flipped through an interactive picture book. The toddler stroked fake fur on a picture of a kitten.

Crosby was surprised on a recent Thursday to find the South Tampa library's doors closed at 10:30 a.m. On Oct. 1, nearly all of Hillsborough County's libraries introduced new schedules, often with reduced hours.

The Platt library opens at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays and closes at 8 p.m., an hour earlier. Throughout the county, library staff and patrons are adjusting to the new hours.
Budget cuts are to blame. Library system officials hacked nearly $2.9 million from the 2010 budget. That was on top of last year's cut of about $800,000. The library system also laid off many part-time employees who helped it extend its hours and services in the heyday of rising property and sales tax revenues.

Crosby said she continues to enjoy reading time with her granddaughter.

"We have to judge our time and come when it is open, but we wish it wouldn't happen," Crosby said. "We would like (the library) to be funded. It is sad. It looks like everything is getting cut."

Though budget cuts reduced library hours, Platt's chief librarian, Judith Iglesias, said libraries are seeing an increase in people seeking computer and e-mail services for job searches, and borrowing books and movies for entertainment.

"We stay busy," she said, but "people have just gone with the flow" on the new hours, although the impact varies.

"I'm retired. It hasn't bothered me," said Earlene Randolph, 71, as she selected books at Platt. "I imagine students and others, it is a problem for them."

Iglesias said more people have commented about a county furlough day Friday than the new library hours. The furlough also is the result of budget cuts and will close all county offices, including all but two libraries - Bruton Memorial in Plant City and Temple Terrace Public in Temple Terrace.

In 2010, four more furlough days are scheduled for county offices: Jan. 15, April 2, June 18 and Sept. 9. Three furlough days are anticipated in 2011.

County commissioners in September approved a $3.48 billion budget for 2010, lopping expenses to make up for a $144 million shortfall. Even with that, more layoffs are expected, and layoff survivors in the next two years could see a pay cut.

Library officials worked for months to retool schedules, often consulting with Friends of the Library groups. Library schedule decisions were made based on several criteria, including how busy libraries were on certain days and after-school use by students, said library spokeswoman Jackie Zebos.

Platt does not open Thursday until 12:30 p.m., but its South Tampa partners, Fendig and Port Tampa libraries, open at 10 a.m. Port Tampa and College Hill schedules have not changed. Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library operates 40 hours a week, closing Saturday and Sunday instead of Friday and Saturday.

There are bright spots for some libraries, including Platt and Seminole Heights. Iglesias said Platt started a Friends of the Library group in February. Seminole Heights Branch Library started its group this spring and held its first fundraiser last week. The groups raise money to pay for activities, such as children's summer reading.

For library locations and hours, call (813) 273-3652 or go to www.hcplc.org.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT