Administrator Thanks County Library Supporters
Skip Auld of the Anne Arundel County Public Library system thanked the County Council, the county executive and those who advocated for the library in a prepared statement.
The newly approved budget for the Anne Arundel County Public Library system includes $200,000 for technology upgrades, eliminates furloughs for library staff and preserves operating current hours for most branches.
The following statement was submitted to Patch by Laurie L. Hayes, manager of public relations and marketing, for Anne Arundel County Public Library.
Earlier today, The Anne Arundel County Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2013 Operating and Capital budgets for the Library and all other County-funded agencies. The approved budget contains the Library funding proposed by County Executive John Leopold, plus an additional $200,000 for much needed technology upgrades.
Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) Administrator Skip Auld released the following statement upon the announcement of the Library’s budget:
“The Anne Arundel County Public Library Board of Trustees and Library staff are grateful to Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold and the seven members of the County Council for recognizing the importance of Library service in Anne Arundel County.
“We applaud the elimination of furloughs for library staff and other county workers. We are also happy that we will be able to preserve our present hours, with the exception of the elimination of Sunday service at the Maryland City at Russett Branch Library. (The Laurel Racetrack Impact Fee previously funded these hours.)
“We are especially pleased that the County Executive and County Council worked together to find an additional $200,000 for improving library technology. These funds will be used for the replacement of outdated computer hardware and software upgrades.
“I also want to send heartfelt thanks to all who contacted their local officials and advocated for the Library. The outpouring of support and kind words from our customers were truly humbling for the staff and myself.
“I look forward, in an improved financial climate, to beginning the process of modernizing our Library system which will include the replacement of some of our oldest facilities.”
No BS zone.
6:45 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday hours are funded by property taxes for all libraries.
That is what tax payers pay taxes for: Funding County Services.
Laurie Hayes
10:50 am on Thursday, May 31, 2012
Actually the Sunday hours at Maryland City at Russett were funded entirely by the Laurel Racetrack Impact Fee. The community had a say in how the funds would be used and this was their choice. Unfortunately, those funds have dried up and can no longer support the Sunday service. Sunday service at the West County, North County and Annapolis Area Libraries is paid for from the budget allocated to the Anne Arundel County Public Library by the County. If you recall, this funding was cut several years ago, forcing the Library to close Severna Park and Crofton Branch Libraries on Sundays and to limit Sunday service at those three other branches to the end of September through May.
-Laurie Hayes