YOUR AD HERE »

Friends of the Truckee Library: Budget woes necessitate change in hours

Lauri Ferguson
Branch Manager, Truckee Library

Unfortunately, the Truckee Library is not immune to the effects of the global economic downturn. The Nevada County Library System is facing a severe decrease in sales tax revenue. The dedicated 1/8th of a cent sales tax that was generously passed by Nevada County voters in 1998 and 2003 amounts to more than 70 percent of our budget. We are very grateful for this tax which has served us well.

However, for fiscal year 2007-08, sales tax revenue to the library was down $222,386, or 12 percent, from the prior year. This fiscal year we are down an additional four percent compared to this time last year. While a portion of our budget comes from the County General Fund, Nevada County does not have extra funds to help us out at this time. State funding for libraries is down this year as well. We are expecting a 10 percent reduction in our Public Library Foundation state money and even that could be worse. Therefore, we are forced to make changes to balance our shrinking budget. It is our sincere hope that these changes are temporary until the economy starts to rebound.



Customer-service is our number one priority. We tailor our opening hours to the best of our ability to meet community needs. Library managers examined library usage statistics to determine which hours will best meet the needs of our public. Truckee’s usage statistics show that Saturday is the least busy day. Perhaps this is a direct reflection of the myriad of outdoor activities available to us in Truckee coupled with the non-traditional work schedules of many Truckee locals. Effective Dec. 1, the Truckee Library will be open Monday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Thankfully, none of our children’s programs have been curtailed. We will continue to offer Toddler Time on Tuesdays (10:30 a.m.), Babes in Bookland on Wednesdays (10:30 a.m.), preschool story telling with Mrs. Fix on Thursdays (11:15 a.m.), and Spanish/English storytimes on Fridays (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.). We also have a vibrant Literacy program in operation.



Ways that the community can help the library during this difficult time is to join the Friends of the Truckee Library, volunteer and buy locally. The Friends of the Truckee Library is looking for new members to help energize the organization that has literally saved the library in years past. Volunteers help us out tremendously already, but we are always in need of more volunteers to shelve books, prepare new books and materials, and tutor learners in the Read UP! Program. Shopping locally really helps us out because of the sales tax revenue we receive.

Although our materials purchasing budget is also affected by the economic downturn, we still have new books, books on CDs, and DVDs arriving at the library. Come in and see the new releases and catch up on your reading. And remember to buy locally!

10031 Levon Ave. 582-7846

Hours: We will be closing at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve., Nov. 26, closed on Thanksgiving and the day after, Nov. 27 and 28. Open Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New Hours

(effective Dec. 1, 2008)

Monday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Babes in Bookland on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. (ages 6 months to 2 years), Storytelling with Mrs. Fix on Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. (ages 3 years and up), Spanish Storytime on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ages 2 and up)

Bookshelf’s Dry Camp Book Club at the Library. Meets monthly at the Library. Participants at the book group meeting will receive a coupon for 15 percent off a one-time book purchase at the Bookshelf at Hooligan Rocks. Everyone is welcome.

Tuesday Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m. (ages 2 to 3 years)

Now on display at the library: Portraits by Truckee artist Raphael Jolly

Above the Fireplace: Sand Harbor in oils by Linda D’Toole


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.