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Allegany County Library System seeks level funding amid staffing, collections and hours cuts; trustees warn closures possible
Summary
The Allegany County Library System asked commissioners for level or modest additional funding to avoid further cuts to hours, staff and collections; commissioners pressed the system on administrative staff levels and the possibility of shuttering branches if funding is not sustained.
John Jobe, executive director of the Allegany County Library System, presented the system's funding needs and outlined growing demand for services alongside reductions in hours, collections and staffing.
Jobe said attendance at library events has grown more than 130% over the last decade, monthly circulation averages exceed 24,000 items and 11,000 people visit county libraries each month. He said the system depends on county funding for about 53% of its operating revenue and that rising costs for staff, health insurance and materials have required cuts: starting wages have fallen closer to minimum wage, collections budgets were cut 16% last year and branch hours and staff were reduced.
Commissioners questioned administrative staffing at the system, noting five department leads and asking whether fundraising and Friends‑of‑the‑Library groups could bring money to avoid closures. The library's executive director and trustees said friends groups typically fund branch‑specific extras, not recurring operating costs, and said trustees are exploring administrative reorganization and other savings.
A commissioner challenged the library's presentation of a $90,000 net increase request, calling it a substantial rise for a system with a budget of approximately a little over $1 million. Library officials answered that $56,000 represented a transfer from reserves and about $34,000 was to cover a projected 14% health insurance increase.
Trustees emphasized they do not want to close branches and described work to find grant funding, volunteers and other options to keep locations open. Trustees and the executive director said contingency plans are being developed on staffing, hours and fundraising to preserve services in Southern Allegany County branches that officials said serve populations with fewer alternatives.
Commissioners urged the library to continue exploring savings, volunteer models and Friends group contributions and said these requests will be considered in the county’s broader budget decisions.
