You may have heard that the Governor had asked Berlin for a $600,000 giveback from the current fiscal year’s budget. This week, there has been an additional request for another $350,000.
Unfortunately, the Berlin-Peck Library is taking a hit due to those requests. Here’s how the cuts affect the library:
• We have already had to cut some children’s programs, including the popular infant storytime.
• We will need to cut back on some of our services, including programming. While they’re not big-ticket items, programs like Make & Take Crafts, summer reading, natural cleaning products, concerts, author talks, children’s magic shows, animal presentations, etc., all come out of our budget.
• We have not been allowed to hire replacements for two recently retired librarians, in Children’s and in Adult Services. Although we have been told these positions will be reinstated in the FY 2018-2019 budget, we will not be sure of this until the budget makes it through to ratification.
• Some projects and programs have already been put on hold, including initiating notary services and visits to local preschools.
We do not want to cut any more services, but we may have no choice. We are stretched thin.
Many residents have asked if there was anyone they could speak to or write on our behalf – the answer is yes. We need your help. If you are concerned about the library’s future funding, please speak up at a Town Council or Board of Finance meeting during the Audience of Citizens, as soon as you can. Letters to the Town Manager, Board of Finance and Town Council members can also help, but speaking at a meeting will make more of an impact.
Two opportunities to speak on our behalf will be at the Board of Finance meetings on Tuesdays, February 27 and March 13. After the Board of Finance sends its budget recommendation to them, the Town Council will then meet on March 20. By charter, the Town Council cannot increase the budget, but you can speak at the Audience of Citizens during that meeting to ask that there be no further cuts to the library. If cuts are still looming and you cannot attend previous sessions, your presence at the public budget hearing on Tuesday, March 27 will be critical.
Please let our town officials know how the Berlin-Peck Library provides value to you and your family, whether written or in person. Links to contacts and dates of meetings are below.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at hmalinka@berlinpeck.org. I am always happy to provide updates where the Library budget stands at any time.
Thank you,
Helen Malinka
Library Director
