Library proposes its annual budget

MESQUITE - With the recent cuts in state spending, due to the budget shortfall, public libraries have felt the pinch of having less money to maintain the same level of services currently offered to residents.

The Mesquite Public Library unveiled its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Mesquite City Council during a work session on Tuesday, July 5. Jeannie Johnson, director of library services, detailed so of the changes created by the state's budget woes and explained the proposed budget.

"We no longer have the Lone Star Libraries Grant next year," Johnson said. "The state budget did away with it."

The grant program was created to provide direct grants to public libraries that are members of the Texas Library System to provide incentives for communities to extend public library services without charge to those residing outside each library's local legal service area in order to improve library services statewide and improve access to public library resources and services for all Texans. The grant has allowed for the purchase of more than $38,000 in DVD, books and CD purchases over the last three years.

"The last few years the grant has been [more than] $20,000," Johnson said.

Without the grant the library was forced to reallocate some of its funds to ensure a minimal change in services.

"I appreciate the fact the budget has diminished. I just returned from a mayor's conference where {I heard] cities are closing libraries. The city cannot spend money it does no t have," said John Monaco, Mesquite Mayor.

The library's proposed budget for FY 2011-2012 totals $2,028,086. The biggest expenditure is personnel services at $1,620,875. The personnel budget includes $737,157 for administrative and technical services, $616,146 for the north branch library and $675,783 for the main library.

The budget calls for spending $14,655 in spending on audiovisual materials.

"This year we added playaways our collection," Johnson said.

The library is also proposing replacing its outdoor book return boxes.

"The current book return has been repeatedly damaged by cars," Johnson said. "Both parts of the return have been repeatedly repaired. We are also requesting ballards to be installed to prevent future damage."

Johnson added that the library annually conducts a customer satisfaction survey for one week during the year. She said that one of the questions they ask their patrons is what five things would they like the library to offer. The responses given during the May 2011 survey indicated library patrons want more books, DVD's, hours, children's programming and books on CD.

"I suggest expanding the survey from one week to several at different times of the year," said Dennis Tarpley, Mayor pro tem.

The library also revised its website as part of the city website redesign.

"We wanted to make it more appealing and user-friendly," Johnson said.

The library department plans to work on its five year plan, launch a marketing campaign to increase its visibility and continue to expand its virtual presence.

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