Libraries May Lose $1-Million Subsidy

In a move that could mean more cuts to library services next year, Ventura County officials put their library agency on notice that it cannot count on a nearly $1-million general fund contribution.

Library officials already say up to four of the 16 libraries may close in March, without a new source of money. County supervisors approved a $984,600 general fund contribution earlier this year to keep neighborhood libraries open until March.

The supervisors face a $20-million deficit and plan to make deep cuts in the county’s 1996-97 budget. In budget recommendations accepted Tuesday by the supervisors, the county’s chief administrative officer told Library Services Agency officials not to plan on the subsidy when planning the agency’s budget for next year.

The supervisors could decide to continue the subsidy in March, but a majority now say they can no longer bail out the libraries. Supervisor Frank Schillo has proposed a plan to shore up libraries by transferring control of branches to the cities.

“I am not interested in allocating another million dollars to libraries,” Schillo said. “We are going to consider cuts to mandated projects, and libraries are not even mandated.”

Since 1992, cuts in state funding have forced library officials to slash their budget from more than $10 million to about $5.8 million. Library officials have not detailed what the loss of the subsidy would mean but fear they might have to further reduce services. “It is a big, big loss of money,” said Dixie Adeniran, director of the Library Services Agency.