Last-minute cut in current year's budget; branches will be named tomorrow
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 03/17/2010
Worst situation since the Great Depression
Four criteria for closings
Next year's cut may be even greater
Faced with cutting $2 million from its budget within the last three months of the current fiscal year, the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), NC, will lay off at least 140 employees, resulting in the closure of at least 12 out of 24 library locations, pending final library board approval.
While many libraries announce closures as an apparent act of brinksmanship, PLCMC, also known as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, said that the timing of the cut means "it is no longer possible for the Library to defer lay-offs and location closings."
It could get worse. For FY10-11, PLCMC was told to prepare for a huge "target reduction" of $17 million out of a $31 million budget, PLCMC spokesperson Cordelia Anderson told LJ, though she noted that such preliminary numbers are negotiable.
The library gets about 92% of its funding from Mecklenburg County. It was the 1995 Gale/LJLibrary of the Year.
Meeting tomorrow The library board will announce the specific branch closures after a March 18 meeting. They are to be determined by four factors, said Anderson—cost, usage, proximity to other branches, and size. [3/18 Update: the branches to close are Beatties Ford, Belmont, Carmel, CheckIt Outlet, Cornelius, Hickory Grove, Independence Regional, Mint Hill, Morrison Regional, Myers Park, Scaleybark, and Sugar Creek.]
The award-winning ImaginOn library, devoted to children and teen services, isn’t exempt, said Anderson. It is located one block away from the main library. There are 22 branches.
Layoffs, closures in April
Branches will close and staff will be laid off as of April 3, at 6 p.m. Leased facilities will shutter, as per individual lease agreement.
PLCMC will determine layoffs by its Reduction in Force policy. The criteria include job classification, job performance, and seniority. Decisions won’t be location-specific.
In addition to fewer locations, hours, and staff, patrons will be dealing with other budget impacts, including less frequent building maintenance, more limited technology resources, and longer wait times for books and other materials.
Speaking out
PLCMC has publicized ways for customers to voice their opinions and offer support, said Anderson. County commissioner contacts, a link on its home page to the ongoing budget process, and information on how to financially support PCMC are all part of its communication efforts.
Said Director Charles Brown, "The decision to cut library staff and close library locations was extremely difficult. We value the contributions of our exceptional library employees…. I’m heartbroken for what they face and for what we face as a community with the closure of almost 50% of our libraries…. These are difficult times. Charlotte Mecklenburg libraries haven’t seen such large-scale reductions since the Great Depression when it had to close its doors completely"
Reader Comments (2)
Clark D. Whitlow cdwhitlo@gmail.com TN: 812-219-1651
200 So. Madison St.
Apt C117
Bloomington In. 47404
The News Media of Charlotte Mecklenburg County
Charlotte, North Carolina
No Veteran Appreciation at the CMPL:
The CMPL Says No! to Veteran’s Preference.
What started as a case of denial of one veteran’s claim for veteran’s preference has become a battle for all veterans in regards to employment at the CMPL. Viet Nam Era Disabled veteran Clark D. Whitlow has filed a denial of veteran’s preference complaint with NC State Personnel Commission. On October 14th, 2011 the CMPL HR Department lawyers filled “A Motion to Dismiss” my claim for veteran’s preference citing “The CMPL is a separate, free-standing body corporate created by Chapter 16, North Carolina Private Laws of 1903 and as such is not subject to Article 13 of Chapter 126.
Article 13 Chapter 126 reads as follows
• The North Carolina Veteran Preference Declaration of Policy states “It shall be the policy of the State of North Carolina that in appreciation for the service to this state and their country during a period of war and in recognition of time and advantage lost toward the pursuit of civilian career veterans shall be granted preference in employment positions subject to the provisions of this charter with every state department, agency and institution”.
• Further, according to NC general statues Chapter 126 article 13 states “(D) any eligible veteran who has reason to believe that he or she did not receive veterans preference in accordance with the provisions of this article and the rules adopted under it may appeal directly to the state personnel commission”. In its motion to dismiss one veteran’s claim of denial of veteran’s preference the Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg “respectfully asserts that no state or federal laws require the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to give a veteran’s preference in its hiring practice”.
The same veteran filed a complaint of denial of veteran preference with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Redistribution Act of 1974. To this complaint the CMPL replies: “The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program has no jurisdiction. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library does not do business with the Federal government and any guidelines adopted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program are not applicable to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s hiring of librarians”.
In effect, the CMPL is telling the state of North Carolina that it does not have to comply and it can’t make them, and to the Federal government the CMPL is saying they have no jurisdiction and their laws don’t apply. I think that makes it official the CMPL is untouchable by state or federal laws. To heck with veteran’s we don’t appreciate what they have done and you can’t make us. Headline News CMPL is ABOVE The LAW
On June 15, 2010, the MCBCC approved $21.17 million in library funding for the 2011 fiscal year. On June 21, 2010, five towns voted to contribute approximately $730,000 thus granting the system a tentative budget of $23.3 million for the 2011 fiscal year. With this funding how could the CMPL claim to be a free standing body corporate and not be subject to the laws and stated policies of the State of North Carolina in particular to Article 13 Chapter 126?
What does the Taxpayer Say?
A very concerned Viet Nam Era Disabled Veteran
Clark D. Whitlow
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