Despite a recent restoration of $350,000 by Salt Lake County (Utah) commissioners, the county library system is still $440,000 short of its proposed 1999 budget. As a result, library board members December 21 approved the implementation of cuts to close the gap.
Effective January 1, the computer software budget will lose $25,000, and $75,000 less in replacement computer equipment will be purchased. Other cuts will be imposed on facilities and grounds maintenance, building improvements, and telephone charges. The library had planned to purchase a $35,000 truck, but will go for a smaller vehicle instead at $25,000, Library Director Eileen B. Longsworth explained in the December 22 Deseret News.
On the bright side, Longsworth noted that library hours will be maintained and additional personnel will be hired for several libraries in the 16-branch system, headquartered in Salt Lake City.
Posted December 28, 1998.