Dayton Metro Library branch closures unlikely

Library making more cuts even after voters approve levy

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By Lou Grieco and Nathan Waggenspack
Staff Writers Updated 11:52 PM Thursday, July 22, 2010

DAYTON — Library patrons could see shorter hours under a budget unveiled this week, but there are no plans to save money by shutting branches anytime soon, Executive Director Tim Kambitsch said Thursday, July 22.

“It has a disproportionate impact,” Kambitsch said. “Branches are community anchors.”

Though the library will look at some smaller branches in Dayton and Harrison Twp. to see if they could be consolidated, the goal would be to provide better service, Kambitsch said. The building and repair fund has enough money to build one new larger branch, and library officials plan to try to build one in the next few years.

Though voters passed a library levy in November, the increased revenue did not make up for all funding losses, and Kambitsch predicted last fall that further cuts would be likely.

If the library’s board of trustees approves Kambitsch’s budget, branches would be open three less hours on Wednesdays. The library would cut 12 positions, hopefully through attrition, by July 2011.

The library gets nearly half its income from state funding, which dropped $4.6 million, or 25 percent, between 2008 and 2010. Should it drop drastically, Kambitsch said the new consolidated branch could be placed on hold, and the library will have to consider staff layoffs and further reductions in hours and services.

But cutting branches is still unlikely, Kambitsch said, something patrons appreciated.

“I think the library is just sort of a community staple, and I think that would be a bad thing,” said Sally Patton, who was at the Vandalia branch Thursday.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2057 or lgrieco@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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