The Drumheller Public Library is changing its hours of operation after a recent review of their budget.
In the Town Council meeting on May 22, the Public Library’s budget was discussed. Due to changes in grant funding and complications during the move to the new location, the library would have faced a budget shortfall of roughly $7,000.
The Provincial community spirit grant was only $9,200 as compared to the $15,000 awarded in the past. The library also received notification from the Federal government that the CAP grant would not be renewed as of April of this year.
When moving to the new facility the library ran partial service out of the Civic Centre, but delays moving in and opening resulted in reduced revenues during that time.
“We basically had two changes to make to fit the budget. Modified hours as of July 1, the library will be closed on Sundays, and there will be an extended closure between Christmas and New Year’s,” said Linda Traquair, the Chair of the Drumheller Public Library Board.
With the modified hours, this saves operational costs of power, heat, and labour costs. The saved costs can be turned around to pay the slightly increased salaries to staff that was originally calculated into the first budget.
The library is currently open four hours on Sundays. The changes will not result in a reduction in services.
“We had to look at ways to address the budget, and right now have revised the operational schedule,” said Town Councillor Andrew Berdahl.
Berdahl also said that because the shortfall was only going to be around $7,000 that if the Town of Drumheller can find the money elsewhere in the budget, then they can take another look at the revisions made.
“If there are any concerns with the change in the operating schedule, I urge people to speak to their councillor,” Berdahl said.
Director of Library Services, Mellissa D’Onofrio-Jones points out, however, the library will continue to offer exemplary services.
“Even though we are closing on Sunday, we will still be open ten more hours per week than we were in 2011. During the 2011 year we were open 47 hours per week, opening at 11 a.m. every week day and only 4 hours on both Saturday and Sunday. However, we are now open at 9 a.m. every weekday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday,” explained D’Onofrio-Jones. “Our 57 hours open per week puts us in the exemplary category according to the Standards and Best Practices for Public Libraries in Alberta.”
