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Saint Johns Public Library outlines possible service cuts as city weighs budget options
Summary
Library management presented a memo listing possible service impacts — including reduced open hours and staffing limits — and confirmed a current vacancy will remain unfilled this fiscal year while the council and budget committee review options.
Library management told the Saint Johns Public Library Board that the department has prepared a memo outlining possible service impacts if the city’s budget is reduced. Unidentified Speaker (S5), who circulated the document, said the list is illustrative rather than a required set of cuts and emphasized priorities such as youth and teen services, the makerspace and public computers.
The memo is intended to help the citizen budget committee and the council understand how a major budget change would affect the library’s services. "It is simply an illustration of the effect that, you know, a major change in our budget in, for the city would affect the library," Unidentified Speaker (S5) said. Management said it worked intentionally with staff (named in the memo as Jana, Nicole and Brenda) to identify options that preserve core services.
Staff also confirmed a current vacancy in the library will not be filled this fiscal year; Unidentified Speaker (S5) and Unidentified Speaker (S8) said departments have submitted impact statements and the city is operating with reduced staffing overall. The board chair asked members to gather information and to work with management to prepare clear examples of how potential cuts would affect library users so the council and voters can be informed.
What happens next: the library will provide materials to the budget committee when it convenes in April and help with public education about service priorities if a ballot measure proceeds.
