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Metro Detroit School Libraries Brace for CutsSchool libraries in the Detroit metropolitan area are bracing for a round of budget cuts that are likely to mean closings and layoffs before the end of summer. Even wealthier suburban communities such as Birmingham and Livonia are considering reductions in staff and book purchases.Livonia may lose $159,000 from its library book budget and eliminate six library technology aides to save $219,000, the Detroit News reported April 30. Birmingham plans to cut three full-time school library positions by fall. The News also said that the school district in Garden City is working to cut $2.7 million from next year’s $48-million budget and could lay off as many as 36 teachers, which could include librarians. In Redford Township, where the four elementary school libraries are run by volunteers, the high school has one full-time library staffer but may lose the position this summer as part of a $1.7-million reduction in its $34-million budget. City of Detroit officials said they could not say how many of their schools do not have libraries or how many librarians might be laid off this summer. One small consolation in the bleak funding picture came from Ernando Minghine, superintendent of the Westwood school district in Dearborn Heights, who said the municipality has laid off 18 teachers but won’t touch the library staff. Posted May 7, 2004. |
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