Seattle Public Library Closes for Two Weeks

Budget cuts are forcing libraries to come up with creative ways to save money. Due to a $1.8 million cut, the Seattle (WA) Public Library is closing for two weeks this year, from August 26 through September 1 and December 17 through December 23.

During those weeks, there will be no access to the catalog, and the library will not collect fines. All book drops will be closed, as will the library's meeting rooms, and there will be no library programs, such as storytimes. Even the library's Web site (www.spl.org) will be taken offline.

Seattle City Librarian Deborah Jacobs says the two-week shutdown—scheduled for two of the library's traditionally slowest weeks—was the better of two bad choices. "Temporarily closing will have the least impact on public service for the long term," she says. "Our other options involved significant year-round cuts to operating hours, drastically cutting the book and technology budgets, and laying off employees."

The $1.8 million cut represents five percent of the library's $34.7 million budget. During the two-week closure, library employees will not be paid, nor will they accrue vacation time or retirement benefits. The materials budget will also be cut a proportionate amount.

Other libraries are dealing with cuts as well, although not so creatively. The Toledo-Lucas (OH) County Public Library, for example, must implement a $1.4 million cut as most libraries nationwide have handled reductions for decades. Beginning this month, Sunday hours will be eliminated, no new staff will be hired, and the materials budget will be trimmed by $300,000. The Washington (DC) Public Library avoided cutting its summer evening hours by curtailing the hiring of new employees and slashing its promotional budget for library events.