Springfield library director outlines how $500,000 cut might be absorbed

The Springfield Public Library director provided the City Council an example of how a $500,000 general fund budget cut could be implemented, while maintaining essential services, according to a communication packet published Dec. 1 on the city’s website.

Library Director Emily David submitted the documents, which identify a scenario that includes cutting three staff positions, five operating hours and $89,000 from the book budget, as well as trimming some programs.

David submitted the documents in response to questions from the City Council during a June 30 work session about the programming the library provides, what a library that provides minimum service would look like and what the cost would be for a levy to fund library services.

The possible $500,000 budget reduction for the library is based on a recommendation from the mayor’s Fiscal Stability Task Force, which was convened to identify ways to balance the city’s general fund budget. Mayor Sean VanGordon has said any cuts to the library’s budget will be determined during next spring’s budget process.

Community members have given public comments at council meetings over the past six months expressing their support for the library and asking councilors not to cut its funding. 

A group of library supporters have created a Save Springfield Library campaign and website. The group’s goal is to inform Springfield residents about the city’s plan for possible cuts to library funding and how it would affect the future of the library, said Callee Ackland, a Springfield resident who is part of the campaign.

“We’ve given a couple different action steps that are suitable for where the city is at in that plan right now,” Ackland said. “And then, as things continue, we’ll keep updating the website and maybe change how we’re approaching the actions that we’re encouraging residents to take.”

The website is calling for community members to speak at a Dec. 8 public hearing for a proposed payroll tax and ask the City Council to set a rate that maintains library funding, if councilors choose to go forward with the tax.

“They’ve got their hands tied, and we get that, and there’s this budget deficit, but they have a potential solution right in front of them with the payroll tax that they want to implement,” Ackland said.

The library’s budget for fiscal year 2026 is $2,331,465, according to the documents David submitted. The budget reduction scenario proposes cutting an associate manager (a position that was held vacant this fiscal year), a librarian and a library technician, as well as $89,138 from the book budget. The reduction totals $501,193. 

“We recommend cutting the book budget in order to retain one additional staff member,” the documents state. “We anticipate being able to raise funds for collections, though likely not for staff positions.”

According to the documents, each year the library receives $50,000 to $60,000 from the Library Foundation and Friends of the Library; $25,000 to support a program called For Every Student, a Library; and $4,000 to $5,000 from endowments. Last year, $44,000 in donations went toward collections.

“Losing three staff members instead of four still requires significant service cuts,” the documents state.

In the scenario, the library would go from the current 12 full-time equivalent positions to 10. 

The library would purchase fewer books due to fewer funds and also because it would have fewer staff members to maintain and process the collections, according to the documents. 

The staff cuts would also lead to reduced programming, including cutting some children’s and teen programming. According to the documents, all program funding comes from grants and donations, with the exception of staff time preparing for, carrying out and cleaning up events.

With fewer staff, the library would need to reduce service hours, the documents state. The scenario calls for closing the library on Mondays, when it is currently open noon to 5 p.m. Right now, the library is open Monday through Saturday.

The documents state that if the city were to consider a levy to support the library, a five-year levy for 2027-2031 would have a rate of 43 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value. A spokesperson for the city said the levy amount is a hypothetical based on the full general fund cost of the library. The City Council has not directed city staff to pursue a levy.