Library
Dear friends,
As we adjust to the new economic realities that have prompted budget reductions across County government, Arlington Public Library remains committed to providing the best services and collections possible for our customers.
Despite belt tightening and lifestyle changes, those of us fortunate enough to serve the residents of the County will continue the effort to preserve the things that make Arlington a special place to live and work. This is reflected in the budget choices we have made and in the services we continue to provide.
In brief, Arlington Public Library's budget recommendations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 are:
- Expanded Branch Library Hours Begin July 5
Arlington Public Library branch hours (except for Plaza) will expand with the new fiscal year, effective July 5: Wednesday Mornings: Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover branches will open at 10 a.m. (rather than the current 1 p.m.) and remain open...
- Coming Soon: More Hours And Materials!
UPDATE 5/23: New hours will begin July 5, not July 1. This July marks the 75th anniversary of the Arlington Public Library, created by residents like you who believed in the value of a strong library system for all the County. It is both a fitting...
- A Budget Year Check-in
We're a few months into the new fiscal year and I thought it would be a good time to check in. All Arlington County departments took budget cuts for FY 2011: Arlington County, like almost every local government in the nation, faced and still faces...
- Arlington Public Library's New Hours As Of July 1
** Update: on 7/9/10, the headline of this item was changed from "Arlington Public Library's New Hours Begin July 1" ** Press Release - 6/9/10 The Arlington Public Library system will operate under a new schedule of public hours beginning with the...
- Fy 2011 Budget Approved--what It Means For The Library
The Arlington YearsThoughts From County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh Hello again, As you may have heard, the County Board on Saturday adopted a $955.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2011. For Arlington Public Library, the...
Library
The Arlington Years: Arlington Public Library Service Reductions and the FY 2010 Budget
The Arlington Years
Thoughts from County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane KreshDear friends,
As we adjust to the new economic realities that have prompted budget reductions across County government, Arlington Public Library remains committed to providing the best services and collections possible for our customers.
Despite belt tightening and lifestyle changes, those of us fortunate enough to serve the residents of the County will continue the effort to preserve the things that make Arlington a special place to live and work. This is reflected in the budget choices we have made and in the services we continue to provide.
In brief, Arlington Public Library's budget recommendations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 are:
? Glencarlyn, Cherrydale and Aurora Hills branches open 3 days per weekNone of these decisions were easy and at this stage, the FY 2010 budget is a proposal.
? Decreasing the materials budget by $125,000, meaning fewer purchases of books, magazines, newspapers, electronic databases, DVDs and music
? Significantly decreased use of non-permanent staff at all levels
? Increased vacancies within the permanent staff due to frozen positions
? Closing the current Westover branch facility effective July 1, to prepare for the opening of the new Westover facility in fall 2009
? Suggested increases in library fines and fees for printing, lost library cards, overdue materials and interlibrary loan mailings
There are many opportunities to make your opinion known. In addition to the public hearings to be held by the Arlington County Board in late March, the Library is scheduling open "town meetings" at Central Library and each of our branches except Plaza. All meetings will start at 7 p.m. except Aurora Hills, when I will speak at 7:45. Here is the schedule. PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME: I will speak at the Aurora Hills meeting (hosted by the AH Civic Association) at 8:30 p.m.:
? March 4, Cherrydale
? March 10, Glencarlyn
? March 11, Aurora Hills (new time--8:30 p.m in senior center adjacent to library)
? March 17, Westover
? March 18, Central (Auditorium)
? March 31, Shirlington
? April 1, Columbia Pike
As someone who grew up in Arlington and benefited from its first-rate Library, I want to "do it all" for this system. And yet we can't given the current budget predicament.
So the staff and I chose to recommend doing the next best thing, which is to fund our programs and services in the most cost-effective way possible so we can continue to fill shelves with relevant materials, entertain children with storytimes and help neighbors get back on their feet with free computers, Internet access and job-seeking resources.
Our proposed hours of service across the system may change---to enable us to staff where service demands are greatest---but our commitment to the community is unchanged.
Please take advantage of the "comments" link below to send me your questions and suggestions. I will respond under your remarks to keep the dialogue going. And I look forward to meeting you and speaking with you in person at one of the seven open "town meetings" mentioned above.
Over to you...
- Expanded Branch Library Hours Begin July 5
Arlington Public Library branch hours (except for Plaza) will expand with the new fiscal year, effective July 5: Wednesday Mornings: Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover branches will open at 10 a.m. (rather than the current 1 p.m.) and remain open...
- Coming Soon: More Hours And Materials!
UPDATE 5/23: New hours will begin July 5, not July 1. This July marks the 75th anniversary of the Arlington Public Library, created by residents like you who believed in the value of a strong library system for all the County. It is both a fitting...
- A Budget Year Check-in
We're a few months into the new fiscal year and I thought it would be a good time to check in. All Arlington County departments took budget cuts for FY 2011: Arlington County, like almost every local government in the nation, faced and still faces...
- Arlington Public Library's New Hours As Of July 1
** Update: on 7/9/10, the headline of this item was changed from "Arlington Public Library's New Hours Begin July 1" ** Press Release - 6/9/10 The Arlington Public Library system will operate under a new schedule of public hours beginning with the...
- Fy 2011 Budget Approved--what It Means For The Library
The Arlington YearsThoughts From County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh Hello again, As you may have heard, the County Board on Saturday adopted a $955.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2011. For Arlington Public Library, the...