Yukon library warns hiring freeze and vacancies are shrinking programs, staff say

Sarah (last name not provided), Yukon city librarian, told the Yukon Library Board on Jan. 15 that two budgeted but vacant positions and an official hiring freeze have reduced the library's programming and stretched remaining staff.

The staffing shortfall has led the library to reduce some story-time sessions, pause evening family programs and reassign duties: Shauna Dietz, the librarian's assistant, is running adult programming while the children's programmer covers young-adult duties, and Sarah said she is buying young-adult materials and continuing outreach at the county detention center.

The staffing problem, Sarah said, stems from a vacant young-adult programmer position and the recent resignation of a 19-hour-per-week circulation clerk, Moira Woodall, who left for full-time employment. "We're flying a wing and a half short right now," Sarah said, describing the impact on day-to-day operations.

Why this matters: Board members heard that the cuts affect regular, year-round services as well as the summer reading program. The library relies in part on state and county funding streams that the director said the library has historically qualified for; the combination of vacancies and a hiring freeze could complicate future qualification and service levels.

Staffing and programming details

Sarah told the board the library has resumed some teen programming but has cut back other offerings. Baby story fun and toddler story times were reduced from two monthly sessions to one; family evening programs have been temporarily discontinued because the library cannot staff evening shifts and maintain a two-person desk during daytime hours. The librarian also said outreach programs continue, including monthly visits to Yukon Head Start and TLC Preschool and continued book talks at the Canadian County Children's Justice Center.

Statistics and operating notes

Sarah reported an anomalous surge in one children's database's recorded usage (19,703 uses in October compared to 557 in October 2023), which staff suspect is automated traffic rather than local patron access. She cautioned the board that those figures do not reflect actual resident use. The library issued a notable number of new patron cards in December, and circulating digital services such as OverDrive and digital magazines have steadily increased use.

Funding and financial context

The board heard an update on a county funding pool the librarian and area libraries have used in recent years. Canadian County commissioners approved $91,202 to be divided among the four county libraries (Yukon, Mustang, Piedmont and Reno); Yukon's share was $31,008.68. Sarah said the consortium has used those flexible funds for summer reading, temporary staff, presenters and one-time purchases; the funds cannot be used for vehicles or permanent capital projects.

Sarah also said the library has been approved for $16,499 this year that is typically used to support the summer reading program and temporary summer staff. She warned that the newly official hiring freeze, combined with maintenance-of-effort budget decisions, creates uncertainty about maintaining service levels and could affect future state aid qualification, which the library has historically secured except during exceptional citywide budget crises.

Board action and routine business

During the meeting the board completed routine business. The board elected Jane Mitchell as chair, Penny Budzier as vice chair and Amy Walters as secretary; it approved the Oct. 16 minutes and accepted the librarian's report. Those motions were recorded as passed by voice vote with all members responding "Aye." The meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for April 16.

Votes at a glance

- Elect Jane Mitchell as chair: motion seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Elect Penny Budzier as vice chair: motion seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Elect Amy Walters as secretary: motion seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Approve Oct. 16 minutes: motion seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Accept librarian's report: motion seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Adjourn to April 16 meeting: motion seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

What board members asked for next

Board members asked the librarian to quantify how many residents and program participants will be affected by cuts (for example, the eliminated afternoon preschool session and summer-reading participation) so the board can present both dollar and people impacts to city officials. Sarah said she would prepare counts and follow up by email. She also noted staff morale concerns: "They don't feel valued," she told the board, describing the effect of cuts on longtime employees.

Programs and partners mentioned

The report summarized programs from October through December: baby and toddler story times, a preschool session, firefighter story time with Yukon Fire Department, Tween and teen makers programs (including an OSU Extension presenter teaching robotics), an adults' fall reading program and guest presenters such as Science Museum Oklahoma and local extension staff. Friends in the Library continues monthly book sales at the old library building; Ladies Library Club held an auction that raised $1,765.65.

Local context

Board members and staff referenced prior assurances from the city council and city manager that summer reading would be supported; the library director said that assurance exists but that the hiring freeze and budget process still create uncertainty about sustained service levels.

Ending

The board did not take additional policy action at the meeting but asked staff for quantification of people affected by program reductions and directed the librarian to provide that information to the board and city officials for follow-up ahead of the next meeting on April 16.