>Ridgewood Library’s summer programs stay afloat
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
In the face of furloughs and other cutbacks to compensate for two years of budget cuts, Ridgewood Public Library summer programs have been “vibrant” despite strains on staff and circulation, according to Director Nancy Greene.
The village cut its municipal allocation to the library by $41,750 in 2011, representing a nearly 2 percent decrease from 2010. Combined with an $11,000 drop in state aid to the library and a nearly $39,582 increase in costs for staff pensions and health benefits, this revenue loss meant a $92,332 budget gap that library administrators had to bridge.
“What gets lost when we lose funding is staff and books,” Greene said.
To this end, the library initiated staff furloughs – cutting back employee hours by closing all nine summer Sundays through Labor Day weekend and three additional Fridays throughout the year. The library also cut the book budget, which is traditionally used to buy new books and movies, as well as replace classic texts and maintain an online database.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/126819578_Summer_programs_stay_afloat.html