The Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs, which suffered last year due to budget cuts imposed by the county following a sharp decline in property tax revenue, is set to take another hit this year.
The library, the only one in the city, now opened seven days a week is likely to change to a six-day schedule on Oct. 1. Sometime during the next few weeks, the County Commission will decide on a cost-cutting proposal to keep 11 larger libraries, including the one in Coral Springs, closed on Sundays. The library is now open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
“It all depends on what the county commission decides,” said Mimi Hershenson, regional library manager. “It’s another tough year; libraries are funded primarily from dollars that the county receives from property tax. We expect them to accept the proposal, but it is not a done deal yet.”
“Sunday is a busy day,” Hershenson said. “We get more people per hour on Sunday than on other days. Closing on Sundays might make our Saturdays busier.”
The issue came up for discussion at the city commission meeting recently. Mayor Scott Brook said he had heard from Northwest Regional librarian Ken Engel that people in the community are opposed to the library being closed on Sundays. “Sunday is a day available for all residents,” Brook said.
City Manager Mike Levinson said the city needed to be careful in dealing with the issue. “The library is next to the charter school; the students use the resources. The library needs to be open Monday to Friday. Let us look at the numbers and see what’s a better day.”