ABOUT $18,000 LESS THAN IT RECEIVED IN 2009

At its Jan. 26, meeting, the Bluffton Public Library's Board of Trustees adopted an annual budget with projected operating revenue of just $351,000.

That is about $18,000 less than it received in 2009, and nearly $68,000 less than it received in 2008.

Distributions from the Ohio Public Library Fund (PLF) in 2010 are projected to be $212,000, which is 7 percent less than the library received in 2009, and 25 percent less than in 2008. A local tax levy provides additional revenue that remains relatively stable at about $124,000 per year.

"The 2010 budget is definitely a challenging one. We have worked hard to identify a strategy that we believe balances services with sound financial practices," Fiscal Officer Jim Weaver said. Substantial budget cuts have been implemented in both 2009 and 2010, including leaving a position unfilled, implementing a wage freeze, reducing staff hours and pay by five percent, reducing material purchases and delaying non-emergency repairs or upgrades.

The Bluffton community is fortunate to have had an operating levy already in place in 2009. The library has had to make difficult choices to absorb the significant losses in state funding just as every Ohio public library has, but the impact to the budget, staff, services and hours would have been devastating without the annual revenue from a local levy.

The library is a vital community partner, offering a wide variety of essential services, programs and materials. "The staff and Board of Trustees take that role to heart and are working as a team to identify ways to raise additional funds, streamline processes, evaluate purchasing practices and question the status quo to make improvements," Board President Pete Schwager stated.

The library may have a bare bones staff this year with just six full-time equivalents, but that is not stopping them from learning new skills or striving to offer more services. The team is implementing a peer-based training program to gain and share skills with each other to save on training and travel expenses. They are also exploring ways to expand programming by recruiting volunteers within the community and surrounding area to host seminars, educational programs and craft workshops for adults and youth.

The library started a fundraising campaign, Buck$ for Book$, in December 2009 with a goal to raise $5,000 by December 2010 to lessen the impact of a decreased materials budget. The Friends of the Library and community members are showing tremendous support, with donations totaling about $1,800 since December, and collections will continue throughout the year. "No donation is too small, or too large. We have a long way to go, but every penny donated to the library brings us closer to our goal," Public Relations Coordinator Elizabeth Haley said.

The library is also exploring opportunities to develop new fundraising partnerships with local businesses and groups. If your business or group is interested in sponsoring a fundraiser or donating time to the library, contact Library Director Cindi Chasse.