Library Seeks $165,000 Increase to 2013 Budget

The Montclair Public Library called for an increase of $165,000 to its 2013 budget as administrators and volunteers take on growing circulation and attendance. 

The increase would bring the library’s operating budget to $3,048,749, which is about $800,000 less than the library’s budget in 2008. After managing increasing attendance with less staff and more volunteers, Director David Hinkley said the added funding is necessary to establish a “stable fiscal base” for the fifth largest municipal library in the state.  

“Despite resulted hours, staffing and material reductions, 2012 use-statistics and volunteer hours demonstrate there is a substantial embedded demand and direct community support for library services in Montclair,” said Hinkley.  

Circulation reached a record high in 2012 of more than 390,000, which was accompanied by a program attendance of 26,500. The demand for library services has grown about 20 percent during the past few years, said Hinkley, which has been followed by a decrease in about 20 percent of its budget.  

Volunteers have played a vital role in keeping the libraries operational, added Hinkley. In 2012, volunteers made up hours equivalent to 2.5 full-timers, or about 8 percent of the two libraries’ workforce of 27. 

The 2013 budget increase would pay for a full-time young adult position, added part-time positions supporting programing, maintenance, increasing materials, opening the Bellevue Avenue Branch Library one morning a week for story time and school visits in the fall, and backup generators, among other things.  

Between 2010 and 2012, the library endured a loss of $1.4 million to its budget. The restoration of about $350,000 to its budget in 2012 allowed the library to add hours, and make investments in the libraries’ collection, infrastructure and technology. 

Deputy Mayor Robert Russo called the 2013 increase “modest,” and intimated his support for augmenting the library’s budget. 

“I am very very interested in getting you back to where you need to be,” said Russo.