Maplewood Memorial Library
Statement Regarding Reduced Hours of Service

We regret to inform you that due to increased operating expenses and decreased funding, the Trustees of the Maplewood Memorial Library made the difficult decision to reduce the hours of service at the main branch. The new hours will be effective as of May 1, 2008.  Hilton Branch Library hours will remain the same.

The Library receives funding for operation primarily through tax dollars from two sources:

1. Maplewood Township
2. Aid from the State of New Jersey , which is determined by the local government’s contribution. 

The Library also generates income by charging fees and fines for borrowed materials.

Maplewood Township ’s governing body is under increasing pressure to cut expenses and control the rate of tax increases. The 2008 budget for both the Township and the Library is further hampered by state mandated caps on spending.  At the same time, the Library’s fixed costs - salaries and wages, and utilities - continue to rise at a dramatic rate.

The Township Committee granted the Library a minimal increase over the 2007 budget. The increase had to be applied to salaries and wages which are controlled by contractual obligation.  The operating appropriation which pays for electricity, water, internet access, videos, magazines, and books has been decreased by $12,000. 

The Library actually received $39,000 less than what had been requested in our proposed budget to the Township.  While our appropriation has been significantly reduced, our fixed operating costs, especially utilities, continue to skyrocket leaving us unable to increase our budget for books, magazines, audio books and other library materials. In fact, given the current cost of books, the budgeted amount in 2007 was low.

The Library Board of Trustees has discussed the Township Committee’s decision and reviewed the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee recommendations. In the final analysis, we are obligated to work with the funds granted.  Unfortunately this requires a reduction in hours of service to ensure that our operating expenses, over which we have no control, remain within the budget.

The Library Staff and Board of Trustees will continue to strive to meet the needs of our valued patrons, and we apologize for any inconvenience that the reduced hours may cause.

Maplewood Memorial Library Board of Trustees

April 21, 2008

(1)    The Library will take measures to stay within the budget including purchasing fewer copies of popular titles resulting in longer waiting periods.

(2)    This number excludes amounts set aside for salaries, wages and benefits.

(3)    Our total 2008 appropriation from the Township is insufficient to qualify us for full state aid in 2009. We expect to receive approximately $23,000 next year.  

(4)    The budgeted number is always a conservative estimate of revenues for the coming year.

Complete financial information for the Maplewood Memorial Library is available to the public.