Library branches cut out hours, days

Library hour reductions are beginning today in Huntington Beach as part of citywide budget cuts to fill a $4-million revenue shortfall.

The Central Library will close Sundays, and the branches will be open only certain days to deal with a $95,000 cut to the library’s budget.

All departments were asked to submit cuts to their budgets, said Councilman and library liaison Joe Carchio.

“It’s not something the council or the director, Stephanie Beverage, wants to do,” Carchio said. “Hopefully, it will be very temporary.”

The City Council approved about $3.4 million in departmental cuts at its March 1 meeting, and changes in union contracts allowed the city another $1.4 million in reductions. Between the two measures, the city was able to fill its revenue gap, Carchio said.

In addition to reducing hours, the library staff cut its supply budget, temporary staff and workshops. Library and city staff are also reviewing the possibility of increasing fees, Beverage said.

“We know the reductions in hours isn’t easy,” she said. “We’re going to try to do the best we can in the hours we are open.”

All libraries are reducing or modifying their hours as part of a $272,513 reduction to the Community Services Department budget.

The Central Library is going to close its doors Sunday, Banning Branch Sunday to Tuesday, Main Street Branch Sunday and Monday, Oak View Branch Saturday and Sunday and Helen Murphy Branch Friday to Monday.

While the cuts will affect the library, Beverage said officials are trying to maintain public Internet access and educational components. “We’re continuing to work on programs and if what we’re offering is continuing to meet the needs of the community,” she said.

The Friends of the Library stepped up to the plate, donating $120,000 so the library can continue to buy new books and material. Beverage is also looking into state grants.

While the library is looking into alternative means of support, the city’s revenue shortage doesn’t look like it is improving, Carchio said. The only solution is to persuade people to “shop and play in Huntington Beach,” he said.

“The only way to combat this is to increase sales tax [revenue],” he said.

Huntington Beach’s Surf City Savings Discount Coupon Program, www.surfcitysavings.com, offers businesses a free way to reach residents and an opportunity to try to entice consumers with coupons and discounts to shop locally.

The program is free to both businesses and consumers and has more than 170 businesses signed up so far, Carchio said. There are coupons and discounts available for dining, shopping, health and beauty, various other services, and entertainment activities.

Want To Visit The Library?

Central Library

 1 to 9 p.m. Monday

 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday

 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Banning Branch

 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Thursday

 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Main Street Branch

 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday

 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Oak View Branch

 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday

 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

Helen Murphy Branch

 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday