Petition to Maintain Service
at the Glencarlyn Library
If you are unable to sign one of the petitions and would like to lend your support, please include the petition language and the information below and email it to
save_glencarlyn_library@glencarlyn.org
Petition Language
I am a resident of Arlington County and I strongly support our libraries. By signing this petition I indicate my opposition to any further reductions in the number of days or hours of operation at the Glencarlyn Library.
Please include your Name, Address, Phone Number and email
__________________________________________________________
Background
Although the FY 2011 budget process is just beginning, the additional reductions, as proposed in the budget for the Glencarlyn Library for 2010, have been identified as likely candidates. This petition will be used to prevent further reductions from being proposed in the County Budget document.
If reductions in hours of operation in the system are required, the residents at the November GCA meeting strongly supported the system-wide reductions in hours instead, possibly excluding the Glencarlyn branch because it has contributed more than its fair share in prior-year budgets.
The library is the heart of our neighborhood; it is used by students for research, for after-school tutoring and numerous community activities. Many residents in the County who don't have or can't afford Internet access at home use the library, often for job searches.
This petition is sponsored by the Glencarlyn Citizens' Association.
Contact:
Peter Olivere
President, GCA
703-626-2520
polivere@aol.com
Download PDF of petition if you want to collect signatures GlencarlynLibraryPetitionDec7_2009.pdf
December 2009 Glencarlyn Village View Articles
GCA to Petition County on Library
The Glencarlyn Citizens‘ Association is circulating a petition opposing any future cuts in Glencarlyn Library hours. Although county officials have not yet announced reductions, the GCA wants to prevent a repeat of last year‘s budget, which resulted in reduced hours on both Thursdays and Fridays at Glencarlyn Library. The petition, which can be signed in person or endorsed by email to the GCA, states: "I am a resident of Arlington County and I strongly support our libraries. By signing this petition I indicate my opposition to any further reductions in the number of days or hours of operation at the Glencarlyn Library."
Arlington residents desiring to sign the petition can do so at the Dec. 7 GCA meeting, the Dec. 13 Holiday Party, and Dec. 19 Luminaria and Bonfire activities. The petition also is posted on the GCA website, glencarlyn.org. County residents who are unable to attend the above events can still sign the petition by sending an email with the petition language to save_glencarlyn_library@glencarlyn.org.
County Faces Budget Shortfall
Arlington County‘s fiscal year 2011 budget process, which is just beginning, contains county-wide budget reduction targets of 10 percent that may require the Department of Libraries to reduce hours at county libraries. The GCA petition argues that any reductions in library hours should be system-wide and not focused on specific branches. "Glencarlyn and Cherrydale were each reduced by eight hours in 2010 and so should not take a disproportionate share of the reductions for 2010 and 2011", the petition states. "The library is the heart of our neighborhood; it is used by students for research, for after-school tutoring and numerous community activities. Many residents in the county who don't have or can't afford Internet access at home use the library, often for job searches."
Kresh Explains Budget Options
Diane Kresh, Director of the Arlington County Libraries, discussed the options facing the county at GCA‘s November meeting. The Arlington County Board budget guidance authorizes a fiscal 2011 budget no greater than the adopted fiscal 2010 budget of $947 million. The County Manager directed each department to submit reductions of 10 percent so the overall budget can stay within the guidelines. The reductions result from a gap between expenditures and revenues, which is primarily caused by an anticipated 9.2 percent decline in the overall real estate revenues, 5 percent in residential and 14 percent in commercial. Kresh said the libraries‘ budget consists of three main spending categories: 1) personnel, which translates into library hours; 2) materials to keep the collections current; and 3) other non-personnel spending, such as equipment. With the reduction of 10 percent, the libraries will probably have to reduce personnel costs, which means reducing library hours. Kresh indicated that a) usage metrics will not be used for the decision, and b) she is considering system-wide reductions in hours rather than selective reductions at specific branches, such as Glencarlyn. The reaction of Glencarlyn residents attending the meeting was supportive of the approached described above. The group strongly supported the system-wide reductions, possibly excluding the Glencarlyn branch because it has contributed more than its fair share in prior-year budgets. Residents also discussed the possibility of using additional volunteers in the Glencarlyn library to supplement the staff to avoid further reductions until county revenues rebound and restored funding for the libraries is possible (see article above). However, the GCA wants to keep the pressure on the Department of the Libraries during its internal deliberations to avoid any further reductions to the hours at Glencarlyn Library, and so we will not offer volunteers as a solution at this time.
Would You Volunteer to Work at the Glencarlyn Library?
Some Glencarlyn residents have suggested that if Arlington County reduces staff at the Glencarlyn Library, the neighborhood could provide volunteers to help the library maintain current hours. Diane Kresh, Director of the Arlington County Libraries, expressed willingness to consider this idea at the November meeting of the Glencarlyn Citizens‘ Association. The GCA has decided against offering volunteers at this time because it may make personnel reductions at the Glencarlyn Library more attractive. Serious consideration of this alternative would probably not occur until February or March. Still, given the current budget crisis, the GCA would like to know whether the community could provide enough volunteers.
Consequently, we would like to get a preliminary list of individuals who may be willing to volunteer at the library. If you might be willing to be a regular volunteer over an extended period of time, send an email to save_glencarlyn_library@glencarlyn.org. In your email, indicate that you are willing to volunteer, how frequently, and number of hours a month you may be willing to work.