December 24, 2009
Ronan library suffers losses after citywide budget cut
By Kate Haake
Valley Journal
RONAN — When Alan Largent arrives at the Ronan Public Library, he is greeted with the friendly faces of three library employees, who know him and his literary interests well. There is always a free hot cup of coffee, a smile and more than a few books on Montana history waiting for him.
“This library is a God-send,” Largent explained, sipping his coffee among shelves of books — books that he claims have helped him through difficult times.
But due to slow economic times, a former Ronan City employee’s mismanagement of finances, and miscommunication between city officials and the library, the budget has been drastically cut short and in turn the city has cut the library budget by $15,000. Under the threat of closing their doors, the library has been forced to react drastically to the situation.
In January they will cut back hours and will leave two of their three employees searching for employment elsewhere.
Library Director Michelle Fenger is optimistic about raising money to keep programs such as the children’s summer reading program afloat, but she is very aware of the odds stacked against her. Hard economic times have made grants scarce and smaller than they were two years ago.
The dismal situation looks bleak to Fenger, especially in the last year. Fenger realizes what a valuable resource the library is in such tight economic times and has seen an influx of people utilizing the free computers and Internet to file their unemployment claims or search for jobs.
Other library patrons are also dismayed about the cutback in hours, dismissal of employees and the implications it has on the city.
Geno Harper is a retiree who spends his time at the library looking up information on his hobby, Cowboy Poetry. Cowboy Poetry is an outlet for westerners to express their creativity fireside and to perform their lyrics and writing in the presence of other western writers at gatherings around the country.
When he started using the city library, Harper claims that he was like many people his age — computer illiterate. But with the help he received from Fenger and other library employees, he has gradually gained confidence in his computer abilities and now uses the library computers for Cowboy Poetry research and to communicate with his friends and family.
“The help I have gotten from Michelle has been invaluable,” Fenger said.
Harper is worried that with staff cutbacks, there might not be so much one-on-one interaction between the lone librarian and library patrons.
Jan Klein agrees. Klein uses the library to search for jobs around the country and also uses the Internet to check her e-mail. She enjoys the one-on-one, hands on approach of the library staff in Ronan.
“I think it’s sad that the city council can’t find it in their budget,” Klein said.
According to library statistics, almost 3,000 people use the library per month, including 821 people who come in to use the computer. There were 271 kids who participated in the summer reading program in 2009 and in the last three years, the amount of participants in the program has almost doubled.
In the last three years the library has also expanded its services, offering wireless Internet and more computers. They have reorganized the book collection, making it easier to navigate through the mounds of information. They have worked with high school students in various projects, including community services and have community support through volunteers and other organizations.
Besides offering the obvious — computers, books and CDs, the library is the only place in town to give out free tax forms.
But after the New Year, the library will have to cut its hours down to 28 hours a week, giving Fenger 12 hours a week to accomplish administrative duties, as well as look for grants to keep the doors of the library open and the programs available to the public.
With a meager 28 hours open and a skeleton staff, Fenger worries that people who live outside of town and busy students won’t find the time to come to the library. And the people who make the time to come, won’t receive the hands-on help they are accustomed to.
“The library is an educational institution,” Harper adds. “People come in here and get education in one form or another.”
Mayor Kim Aipperspach and city council members understand the tragedy of cutting funding for the vital institution and are vocal in their attempts to look for some sort of financial assistance.
He and other council meetings expressed their concern at the city council meeting on Monday. Aipperspach stated that he would like to see a committee of council members and library board members come together to brainstorm ways to find money for the public institution.
Fenger knows that without extra funding, the unspeakable is possible — the library could close.
“We are going to do everything in our power to keep it open,” Fenger said.
To make a donation to the library, call 676-3682 or send checks to 203 Main St. SW, Ronan MT, 59864. |
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