Faced with drastic cuts in state funding through 2011, trustees have made across-the-board cuts in Ritter’s 2010 budget.

Cuts include reductions in spending for materials and supplies, closing the library on Sundays, and hiring and wage freezes. “Originally, we had planned to add at least three more part-time employees in 2010,” according to Director Janet Ford, when the new addition to the library building will be complete. “It will be a challenge to open our new space without extra help.”

Janet Springer, fiscal officer, said Ritter had originally anticipated $578,000 from the state in 2009, and actually received $465,000. She anticipates further cuts in 2010, as state income and property tax collections continue to fall. Trustees will re-evaluate the library’s financial situation every three months, and caution that future lay-offs, unpaid furloughs or cuts in hours could be considered.

Ritter Public Library Financial Statement

The pie chart below shows where the library gets its funding. Voters approved replacing a permanent operating levy, paid through local property tax assessments, in 2007. The operating levy is used for operating expenses. The bar graph that follows shows the anticipated decrease in state funding. The library also anticipates possible decreases in other areas of funding, including property tax collections and investments.

Funds for the building addition project come from a local bond issue, also approved by voters in 2007. These funds are already committed and are not in jeopardy.