An anticipated $38-million city budget deficit this year prompted Houston Public Library officials to close all its branches on Sundays, except the central library, beginning February 2, in an attempt to save the city about $440,000 annually. Only four regional libraries—Collier, Henington-Alief, Park Place, and Scenic Woods—out of a total of 39 had still been open on Sundays. Of those four, two are already closed for renovations.
Library Director Barbara Gubbin told the February 4 Houston Chronicle, “It becomes increasingly difficult to find places to make those reductions as the year progresses. As time moves forward, your choices become more limited. You absolutely, sadly have to impact service.”
Last year nearly all of the libraries had their hours cut by an average of 10 hours per week. The only branch not cut was Clayton, which houses a premier genealogical collection.
The Park Place branch, built in 1995, was closed January 31 due to structural problems. It is expected to stay closed for more than a year. Scenic Woods has been closed since October. As for the future, Gubbin said, “I’m not feeling very positive about next fiscal year. The picture is really bleak. I think we will be taking major reductions. I’m very concerned.”
Posted February 10, 2003.