Library and History Center staff push back as commissioners consider cuts

Library and History Center staff and local residents urged the Newton County Commissioners Court to preserve services and staff as the court considers spending cuts to close a budget shortfall.

Terry Woods, who identified themself as the Newton County Historical Center administrative coordinator, corrected what Woods said were inaccurate statements about volunteer support at the History Center and presented recent fundraising and visitation figures to argue the center requires paid staff. "Some things have been stated that simply are not true ... it has never been reported that we have daily volunteers," Woods said, describing fragile volunteer levels and listing fundraising totals for recent years.

Library staff and a director briefed commissioners on accreditation and program requirements, warning that reducing open hours below thresholds would jeopardize state grants and accreditation. The library representative said the system currently employs two full-time and multiple part-time staff across county branches and that cutting staff to a part-time schedule would limit program delivery for children and seniors.

Speakers emphasized the different roles paid staff perform versus volunteers: paid employees handle daily operations, records, program delivery and mandated responsibilities that volunteers cannot reliably cover. "We cannot say that we would not have to cut service without telling the truth — that cannot be done," Woods said, urging the court to consider alternatives to eliminating positions.

Why it matters: Cuts to library and history services would affect seniors, families and schools that use programming and research services. Library staff said reduced hours would make the county ineligible for some state programs and endanger accreditation.

What’s next: Commissioners debated several staff and attrition measures during the workshop; any motion to revise staffing or adopt a tax rate will appear on an upcoming agenda.