From the Director's DeskAugust 14, 2009 |
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Budget UpdateOn Wednesday, August 11th, RPLS and the other multitype library systems received notification of funding for FY 10. We learned that our funding would be reduced by 16.5% or just under $130,000. The Management Team and I have met and discussed possible areas of the budget where reductions could be made. The Illinois State Library advised us that delivery and LLSAP services support must remain at the FY 09 level. I will be taking our list of budget line item reductions to the RPLS Finance Committee later this month. Once a decision of reductions has been made by the Board it will be conveyed first to RPLS staff, then to you ,our members. Fortunately, RPLS does have reserve funds that can be used short term, to continue system services. It should also be noted that for the Illinois State Library to continue support for the school and public per capita grants and the system funding they have suspended the FY 10 LSTA Grant program. I know that many of you spent many hours working on those grant applications. I would urge you to see if your proposals could be sent to other foundations or grant sources for funding. You also must know that even with the LSTA funding cuts, the School and Public Per Capita Grant funding will also be cut for FY 10. There is a target percentage reduction rate for these programs, but the situation is so fluid that I do not want to put out information that may change. This is an uncertain time. The mantra of do more with less is over. We now will do less with less or have less access to services with less. I am not being pessimistic but realistic. This is a time of change; my focus will be to guide the system through these changing times while finding ways to meet the information and service needs of you our membership. Rolling Prairie Library System |
