With $750K in slashed funding, Hamilton Township Free Public Library gets by with a little help from its Friends
By Jessica Oates
Hamilton Township Free Public Library director Susan Sternberg has found herself caught in a catch-22.
In lean economic times, libraries are always busiest. However, it’s also when freestanding municipal libraries—like Hamilton’s—are forced to stretch their resources very thin.
In the last few years, the library has seen $750,000 in funding slashed from its budget as a result of decreased tax revenues. Staff tried to get creative, attempting to save money wherever possible. Retiring staff members weren’t replaced. Print subscriptions were canceled when the material was available online for free or at a discount. The library would rent new books instead of purchasing them.
The reforms allowed the library to stay afloat for awhile.
“But this year we hit the wall,” Sternberg said.
Now, the library board of trustees has decided it must attempt to fill the gaps with public donations. It is the first such appeal in the library’s 88-year history.
President of the Board of Trustees Jeffrey Balling says that the primary goal of the appeal is to make people aware that they can make tax-deductible donations to the library. He and Sternberg both agreed, in the meantime, it is a top priority to ensure the level of service at the library does not decrease.
Any donations would go directly into the materials fund.
“We’re not paying our gas bill with it,” Sternberg said.
In addition to the appeal for funds, the library is also exploring opportunities for grants and fundraisers.
Sternberg said she and her team have been trying to trim the fat as best they can. Instead of buying 14 new copies of a book that is sure to be popular, like a new James Patterson novel, the library now works with a program to rent several copies.
“Now, we might just buy three, rent others, and return the extra copies after the big push,” Sternberg said. “It saves us money because it’s much cheaper to rent than to purchase.”
Certain expenses are beyond her control, though. Sternberg estimated that about 90 percent of library budget is inflexible. That includes items like personnel costs, insurance costs and electricity.
“We have the most flexibility in materials,” Sternberg said. “That’s where we will take a hit. It is the only place in the budget with give.”
The Friends of the Library, an organization that contributes volunteer support and assistance, has been working to ensure the quality of the library does not suffer, even if the budget has. Sternberg said the Friends have been paying for the library’s eBooks and many of its online databases, things the Friends wouldn’t typically fund.
Normally, the Friends would assist the library in purchasing what Sternberg called “bells and whistles.” With slashed funding, the library needs the Friends’ assistance with essentials, such as keeping books on the shelves.
“We are trying very hard to keep our financial issues from impacting customer service,” Sternberg said.
Sternberg said there are still lots of services available to patrons. The library offers computer workshops on a variety of topics with new laptops donated by Friends of the Library, movie showings and museum passes for popular attractions such as the Grounds for Sculpture, which can be borrowed.
“We are eternally grateful that Friends does as much as they do for us,” Balling said. “Summer reading programs are funded by Friends. They have always been there when we have needed them. The library belongs to the people of Hamilton, and we do our level best as stewards to try to maintain the quality of the services we provide.”
Balling, a Hamilton resident, said the board gets steady streams of good suggestions, as well as questions about why the library may not offer certain programs or services, most notably about why the library isn’t open on Sundays.
“The answer is simple: we can’t afford it,” he said.
But, he remains optimistic.
“I rather firmly believe that the citizens do recognize the library as a vital resource,” Balling said. “Libraries operate in terms of patrons’ needs and usage. When things go south, we get busy, and that’s a service that we don’t see elsewhere.”
The appeal for donations is ongoing. Cash and credit donations are currently being accepted. For more information, call (609) 581-4060.
Hamilton Township Free Public Library director Susan Sternberg (right) poses with Lydia Williams, a long-time member of the Friends of the Library, at the Friends’ daily book sale June 18, 2014. (Staff photo by Rob Anthes.),
