The Satilla Regional Library System could be facing unprecedented cutbacks in the services they provide and some current employees could be laid off if the organization can’t find funding soon.
The library system is funded through state grants, along with assistance from the city, county, and local school system. Satilla Library Director Mark Cole said Wednesday that decreasing state funds have caused severe setbacks for the library and local government entities have refused to provide any further help outside of their current budgeted contributions.
“We have asked the school board and the county for an additional $9,800 each, but were turned down by both,” Cole said.
He went on to say the city currently budgets $63 thousand a year to the library, but about half that is returned to them after paying utilities.
“Another option we had was to ask the city to cover our utilities, but that was turned down as well,” Cole stated.
With its current budget, the library is only able hire part-time staff at a rate of $8 an hour with no benefits, which creates a ‘revolving door’ atmosphere in the system.
“People aren’t going to stay here when they can get an entry-level job at $10 or $11 an hour and I don’t blame them,” Cole said.
Two options currently on the table if conditions don’t change include emlinating some staff and decreasing the library’s operating hours. Cole added more severe courses of action have been discussed such as closing some of the system’s smaller libraries.
In response to the library’s ongoing struggles, a community meeting has been planned for tomorrow, May 28 at 4 p.m. in the large meeting room of the Douglas Library. Cole and other library supporters will be discussing the problems and immediate needs facing the organization and possible funding solutions.
“We’re hoping we can get enough interest to form a ‘Friends of the Library’ group that will advocate for funding and help us promote what we do here,” Cole stated.
According to Cole, nearly 70 thousand people visited the Satilla Regional Library System last year, 63 thousand of whom were patrons of the Douglas branch.