Library to Close on Fridays After Jan. 1

Facing a cutback in county funds, the City Council agreed reluctantly this week to close the branch library on Fridays, effective Jan. 1. Council members said their budget situation makes it impossible to continue operations six days a week.

“We have stretched our finances just about as much as possible,” County Librarian John M. Adams told the council.

Since 1993, the Legislature has diverted a tax fund that had been allocated for library support.

Adams said the cutback has forced the library system to base its branch funding on a formula of population, library circulation and property-tax contributions. According to that formula, Cypress will get about $58,000 a year less in county funding, starting Jan. 1.

“I wish there was a way to get around this,” Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones said of the Friday closing. But she and other council members agreed that the city has no choice. Adams recommended Fridays because the branch has less attendance and circulation on that day of the week.

Councilman Tom Carroll said state funding to the Orange County library system has dropped from $27 million in 1993 to about $17 million for 1997.

After Jan. 1, the library will be open Monday through Thursday and also on Saturday.

The City Council also approved a resolution supporting the formation of a revised county library system.