Louisville Reduces Master Plan to $100 Million
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 01/23/2009
- Voters nixed a much larger plan
- Project would involve three new regional libraries
- Director targets federal funds
After voters nixed a $200 million plan in November 2007, the Louisville Free Public Library, KY, has adopted a revised, scaled-down master plan for capital expansion through 2020.
The plan identifies the need for three new 40,000 square foot regional libraries, which would place a “major resource library” within five miles of 90 percent of city residents. Three other new facilities are intended, while renovations and expansions are needed at 12 other locations. Director Craig Buthod hopes federal economic stimulus funds could help.
“We think this is the kind of project Washington is looking for,” he said, referring to the city’s economic problems. The city is home to two Ford automotive plants, which recently announced temporary furloughs. Additionally, all city workers except uniformed police and firefighters were furloughed two days at the end of last year and will be furloughed two more days in 2009. Buthod and all other city directors had a ten percent salary rollback and the hiring freeze “is very firm” he said.
LFPL’s fiscal year begins July 1 but it was required in December to incur a mid-year cut of $550,000, or 6.8 percent of the remaining half year’s budget; the full year’s budget was $16.2 million. The library’s budget mostly relies on an occupation tax, a form of income tax that varies every pay period, depending on employment rates. Proceeds began dipping late last fall, said Buthod. Since December 14, LFL has closed all libraries on Sundays, which incurred overtime pay. It was the only day to close that wouldn’t have required laying people off, he said.
