Reduced Hours Coming for Cumberland Libraries

The Cumberland Public Libraries are once again facing a budget crunch and the library board is cutting service to make ends meet.

The Library Board Chair says, “This decision was not undertaken lightly and was extremely disheartening.” Dale Fawthrop added, “We think library service is important for the people of Cumberland County but we can no longer offer the level of services we’ve offered in the past.”

Facing a deficit of five thousand dollars, the libraries will cut hours to reduce wages and operating costs. The cuts will begin on June 1st.

This action follows a number of cuts last year and the problem will worsen. In a press release, the Chief Librarian notes their deficit will increase to thirty thousand in the next fiscal year. Denise Corey says, “The cut in hours will allow us to maintain all seven library locations for now.” In an ominous tone, Corey says, “Further cuts may be required down the road.”

Since 2010, Cumberland Libraries received a funding increase of 1.3% while inflation has increased by 11.9%.

Corey says the library has cut as much as possible in the background, including the elimination of one staff position, along with a dramatic reduction in on-line services, database subscriptions, and more—all the while library use has been increasing.

While all the local councils, including Amherst, Oxford, Cumberland Municipality, and the Village of Pugwash continue to support the library operations. It is penny pinching at the provincial level that has the greatest impact. Library funding is currently under review, but there is no indication of when the province will deal with the issue and no guarantee of a funding solution in the near future.

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