GREENSBORO, N.C.—
Guilford County Commissioners will meet at a Jan. 7 retreat to decide if they will cut more funding from the Greensboro library system.In 2008 the county cut around $350,000 from Greensboro library system funding, leaving the city to make up the difference. Seven full-time positions were eliminated due to the budget constraints, and those who depend on library services say the system cannot take anymore cuts.
"I'm very much ready to go to the new mayor and city council and say 'look, put some more money in the library.'" said Harry Best, who uses Greensboro Public Library.
The Greensboro library system depends on funding from the state, the City of Greensboro and Guilford County so it can provide its free services. If the county again decides to cut from the library budget, the city will have to decide how to move forward.
"We have not started our budget process at this time. We haven't even begun to think about the grant that we would prepare for the county." said Sandra Neerman, Greensboro Library Director.
In 2008 Guilford County gave $1.7 million to the library, but Neerman says that wasn't enough. She wants the county to fund them based on the percentage of people who travel outside of Greensboro but stay within the county.
"On any given day approximately 50,000 books and materials are checked out of Greensboro libraries. 23 percent of those materials travel outside the City of Greensboro, but are within the county." Neerman said.
Sean Mingo visits the central library at least three to five times a week, and has done so for the past two years. He says he is already starting to notice changes in services at the library.
"Over time with them cutting back, I've noticed they have a computer that's out of service. That says it right then and there." Mingo said.
No matter what happens at the Jan. 7 retreat, Neerman says the library will continue to be a service organization. Mingo says he's worried what kind of services will still be provided if the budget is cut any further.
"This library is educational. You should never have to cut back on education." Mingo said.
