Library staffers cut hours to save jobs

Six full-time Douglas County Public Library employees volunteered to trim their hours so their part-time colleagues would not lose their jobs.

The agreement between the library staff and the Douglas County Employees Association was approved Thursday by county commissioners and is effective through June 30, 2009.

"I'm very, very proud of them, but I'm not surprised," said library Director Linda Deacy. "They all work so well together and are so supportive of each other."

She said the employees came forward and said they'd like to have more time off. The decrease doesn't impact their county benefits, but does lower contributions to their retirement funds.

The individual employees cut their hours from two to eight hours per week.

The library was forced to cut hours effective July 1 because of the shortfall in room taxes and sales taxes that fund the library.

"I tried to point out to commissioners that this is a temporary fix. Our memo of understanding between the county and the employees' association allows us to reduce hours through June 30. The next fiscal year, we hope to revert to full-time positions. We'll have to address this all over again," Deacy said.

The hours reductions allowed five part-time employees to keep their jobs. One full-time position has been vacant since October, a part-time employee left the county and a second part-timer is returning to another occupation, Deacy said.

"I am hopeful the economy will turn around and we'll be able to develop a budget that more adequately addresses the community," she said.

Until then, she said more than 125 volunteers have stepped up to keep programs running.

"We had our largest summer reading program ever with 900 children participating. So far, 230 kids have finished and will continue to finish through the rest of the month. It's just huge," she said.

Deacy said several teachers helped out during their summer vacations.

As the cuts in hours were being implemented, Deacy said some patrons were upset. But, she said, more residents are coming in to show their appreciation.

"You read a lot and you hear a lot about public service being held up to scorn. But, in fact, most people dedicate their lives to public service and will do anything to serve their mission. It's not about getting rich. They want to serve other people. There should be a lot of honor associated with it," she said.

"Even in the face of layoffs, people here were far more concerned about the library and the services. They take such pride in their jobs. They want the library to look good and work well, but, sometimes, they just can't get that book shelved, and know the phones are ringing and there are lines of people. But, on the whole, people have been more pleasant," Deacy said.