The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting that the library board of trustees on Thursday approved next year’s budget, which totals $916,000 – about $215,000 less than the 2016 budget.

A main reason for the decrease in the budget is due to the city of Jamestown reducing the amount of funding it provides to the library by $250,000.

To work within the spending plan, the library will reduce expenses by closing on Sundays and reducing hours, cutting the materials budget, and by offering a retirement incentive to three employee.

Library board president Tom Rankin said the board is thankful that Executive Director Tina Scott has been able to manage the library’s budget so the facility can remain open, with most services still available to the public.

No information regarding the future of the library’s art collection was provided. It’s expected the board will provide an update on the collection’s fate in 2017.

The Jamestown Prendergast Library board of trustees held its monthly meeting on Thursday, June 16, 2016 and board president Tom Rankin spent a few minutes updating the public on how the library plans to proceed for the rest of 2016, following the public rejecting an $850,000 funding initiative on June 7. The meeting also featured a public comment period with residents Doug Champ and Mike Smoker addressing the board.

Following comments from Rankin and the two members of the public, the board held its business portion of the meeting and acted on several items involving the 2016 budget.

Jamestown resident Doug Champ addresses the James Prendergast Library Board of Trustees during its board meeting Thursday, June 16.

JAMESTOWN – The James Prendergast Library will be reducing the number of hours that it will be open each week, starting in July.

On Thursday the library board of trustees held its monthly meeting and voted cut the hours of operation by 10.5 hours per week. The move means the library will now be open only 55 hours each week rather than the current 65.5 hours.

The new hours of operation, starting July 1, will be:

• Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Library officials say the reduction in hours will save the library more than $30,000 during the second half of this year. The savings would come via cuts in staffing.

The board also said it’s likely the library will not fill a currently vacant maintenance position, which will result in another $20,000 in savings for this year. Between the two, the library will see $50,000 in salary expenses cut from  the current year’s budget and will help to close a looming budget gap for next year.

BOARD CUTS BACK ON MATERIAL PURCHASES

In addition the board also acted on a motion to cut spending on new materials (such as books and DVDs) by $24,000, bringing the total line item down to $74,000 for the year. The $24,000 was to come out of the library’s endowment fund and the board voted 3 to 2 on returning that amount to the endowment. Board members Tom Price and Michelle McRay voted against the motion, with Price against the idea of returning the money to the endowment, saying it may have to be used for some other expense later in the year.

Jamestown resident Doug Champ addresses the James Prendergast Library Board of Trustees during its board meeting Thursday, June 16.

Board president Tom Rankin explained that the Thursday’s budget cuts were not the result of any shortfalls in the current year’s budget, but intended instead to be a proactive step to prepare for financial challenges in 2017.

“We’re a not-for-profit,” Rankin explained to WRFA following the meeting. “Our goal is to have enough money to pay the bills starting January 1. So we don’t know what the city will do with [it’s annual contribution] and we don’t know what the foundations will do. We’re trying to create a rainy day fund at this point so that when we do hit January 1, 2017, we have some money in the bank.”

The board’s budget cuts come following a public referendum earlier this month when voters rejected an $850,000 annual funding initiative for the library, which would have been paid via a tax on property owners in the Jamestown School District. In addition the city of Jamestown is facing major financial challenges for 2017 and may have to reduce or completely eliminate it’s annual contribution to the library, which was $350,000 for the current year.

Prior to Thursday’s cuts the library’s operating budget for 2016 was $1,132,000. In 2015 it was $1,188,000.

STRATEGIC PLANNING TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER

Rankin also addressed the public at the start of the meeting, noting that the library was disappointed with the funding initiative, but that they respect the outcome and the process, adding that it’s time to move forward. As a result he said the board has traditionally taken the months of July and August off and reconvened in September, but given the financial concerns on the horizon, it will hold meetings both in July and August. During that time the board will also begin the process of working on a multi-year strategic plan for the library, with Rankin saying that the process will include input from various stakeholders, including patrons and and the general public.

Rankin also once again indicated the the library’s art collection, which has an estimated value of $3.17 million, will likely have to be sold in an effort to add money to the endowment. In December the board said it would hold off on auctioning the collection until at least January 2017. That decision was made after a Texas-based couple, Jesse and Cathy Marion, with local ties offered to donate $60,000 to the library. In exchange the library would give those who want to see the collection stay in Jamestown one year to identify local supporters who’d be willing to purchase the collection and keep it in town so that it can continue to be available for the public to view.

The Prendergast Library board has cancelled its meeting for Thursday due to a lack of a quorum. The meeting will not be rescheduled. Instead the board will resume discussing its budget during its next regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 17, 2015 at 12:15.

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JAMESTOWN – The Prendegast Library Board of Trustees will hold its has cancelled its November meeting Thursday afternoon due to a lack of a quorum. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 12:15 p.m.

The board is wrestling with a budget deficit for not only this year, but also for the upcoming year. To deal with the shortfall, the board has already made the decision to cut at least one full time position and also reduce its hours of operation, with it no longer being open on Sundays. The library is also awaiting the finalization of the 2016 Jamestown City Budget so it knows exactly how much funding it will receive from the city next year.

This year the city gave the library $365,000 – but Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi has called for a $15,000 cut for next year. The Jamestown City Council has yet to decide if it will go with the cut or reduce funding even further. With the city facing its own budget shortfall, it’s unlikely any of the library funding will be restored.

Earlier this week, the city council met with Library Director Tina Scott to learn more about the library’s services and operating deficit. One of the questions brought forward was fundraising, with city council president Greg Rabb asking why there was a significant drop in public donations in recent years.  Scott and library trustee Joni Blackman explained that patron donations have gone down over time primarily because younger patrons are not donating at the same level as their senior counterparts. They also acknowledged that the public’s disappointment with previous library director Linda Mielke has also played a role in a decline in donations.

FATE OF ART COLLECTION STILL NOT KNOWN

Two pieces of artwork in the Prendergast collection that could be auctioned in the coming months: Left: “Industry” by French artist Eugene Romain Thirion – painted in 1874.
Right: “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” by French artist Leon Bazile Perrault, painted in 1884.
Both are from a collection of 32 paintings given to the library at the bequest of the Prendergast family.

The library board during its December meeting may also provide an update on its art collection, which is worth more than $3 million. The board is considering auctioning off some of the collection in order to raise funding for its endowment, which can then be used to help offset any operating deficits in future years.It has already approved a contract with Sotheby’s to be the agency to assist with selling the paintings, should they be deaccessioned.

The proposal to sell off some of the art collection has been met with resistance from some members of the community, who would prefer the collection remain in tact, rather than sold at auction. Houston businessman Jesse Marion and his wife Cathy Marion – a Jamestown native – have offered to provide funding to pay for the cost of restoring and exhibiting the collection. Library board president Tom Rankin said last month they will discuss that proposal further.

Thursday’s library board meeting begins at 12:15 p.m. in the library Fireplace Room and is open to the public.

A fundraising meeting has been scheduled at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to discuss ideas proposed recently at a public forum and responses to a follow-up survey.

The meeting is open to the public, and anyone with additional suggestions of how the library can raise money to meet a budget deficit is welcome to attend.

Last week the library announced it would be making several adjustments to its budget in order to close the $150,000 budget gap. That includes laying off one full time position as well as closing the library on Sundays. The library board is also considering the possibility of auctioning off portions of the library’s $3.17 million art collection, which several residents have voiced opposition to.

The meeting will be held in the Fireplace Room of the library and is open to the public.

Jesse Marion addresses the James Prendergast Library’s Board of Directors during its October 22, 2015 board meeting.

JAMESTOWN, NY – Art Patrons Cathy and Jesse Marion want to help save the Prendergast Library’s Art Collection.

Jesse Marion attended Thursday’s board meeting of the James Prendergast Library. During public comment, Marion explained to the board that he and his wife Cathy (who is originally from the Jamestown area) would like to donate the money necessary to restore and maintain the library’s $3.17 million art collection.

Marion said he and his wife feel that a community like Jamestown is extremely fortunate to have the caliber of art on display in the library, and it should be kept and maintained so it can be an education tool for local students and residents – many of whom will never have the opportunity to go to Buffalo, Cleveland or NYC to see this type of work in person.

Board president Tom Rankin said the estimated cost to properly restore the entire collection (reframe, clean, etc.) as well as create a space that can properly accommodate it could cost as much as $250,000 total.

Rankin said he’ll be in touch with Mr. Marion to discuss further. More details on the offer expected in the coming weeks.

BUDGET CUTS MADE, MORE EXPECTED

Prendergast Board of Directors during its Oct. 22, 2015 meeting.

In the meantime, the board continues to wrestle with the 2016 budget. Several cuts were presented and acted on during Thursday’s meeting, with more cuts also possible.

• VIEW TENTATIVE 2016 OPERATING BUDGET

The board Thursday approved a motion to eliminate one full-time position and eliminate $1500 contribution to every FT employee’s health insurance deductibles, and $30,000 to purchase new library materials (books, e-books, DVDs, magazines, etc.)

It also approved a motion to close library on Sundays, starting Sunday, Nov. 1.

The library may have to make further cuts to its budget. The city of Jamestown – which has contributed $365,000 the past few years – is facing its own budget crunch. That’s led the mayor to call for a $15,000 cut in funding to the library for 2016. That cut may be even higher once the city council amends the spending plan.

SELLING ART TO BALANCE TO BOOKS

Two pieces of artwork in the Prendergast collection that could be auctioned in the coming months: Left: “Industry” by French artist Eugene Romain Thirion – painted in 1874.
Right: “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” by French artist Leon Bazile Perrault, painted in 1884.
Both are from a collection of 32 paintings given to the library at the bequest of the Prendergast family.

Earlier this year the board began to consider auctioning off several pieces of the library’s $3.17 million collection in order to help balance the 2016 budget. The library has already entered into an agreement with Sotheby’s Auction House. Proceeds from any sale would be placed in the library’s endowment, resulting in annual returns from interest.

Some community members are against selling any pieces in the collection. They’ve spoken out against it during both the September and October board meetings, as well as during a Jamestown city council meeting. They’ve even started their own Facebook page entitled “Save Local Art” in order to draw attention to the issue.

In response the opposition to the artwork sale, the board has asked for fundraising ideas that could be used to help inject a large amount of money into the budget, so it wouldn’t have to sell any items from the art collection.

More details from that front are expected on Tuesday when the library hosts a public meeting, inviting residents to learn more about upcoming fundraising opportunities and to also offer their own ideas.  That meeting will take place at 5:15pm Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the library.

The board of trustees is considering auctioning off several pieces of the library’s $3.17 million collection in order to help balance the 2016 budget, which will also be discussed during today’s meeting.

• VIEW TENTATIVE 2016 OPERATING BUDGET

A large drop in projected revenue for next year has led to a significant budget deficit, meaning the library will have to either find new revenue to fill the hole or makes cuts to staffing and services in order to balance the books.

The library’s tentative budget for next is calling for $1,033,000 in total spending. That’s $156,000 – or about 13 percent -lower than the current year’s budget. Library board president Tom Rankin says that’s resulted in some tough decisions needed to be made for next year.

“We’ve made some recommendations in order to balance the budget without selling the artwork,” Rankin said following a community input session on Oct. 8. “But those are very painful cuts… it’s a big challenge for us.”

The main reason for the drop in next year’s budget is due to an extremely low fund balance. In 2015, the library was able to allocate the vast majority of its fund balance – $186,000 – to help close a spending gap. Now there’s little money in the fund balance remaining for next year, meaning the library was able to only appropriate about $30,000 for 2016 – a $156,000 drop from the current year.

The library devotes an estimated 75 percent of its budget toward staffing and benefits. Without any new revenue, the board has reduced payroll and various benefits in 2016 to $791,657  – a cut $128,000 from the 2015 levels – meaning the elimination of some positions and hours of operation. Another $30,000 would be eliminated from the amount spent on new materials, dropping that line item down to just $74,000.

4-YEAR HISTORY OF BENEFITS AND SALARIES

• 2013 Audited Total – $748,922
• 2014 Audited Total – $768,532
• 2015 Final Budgeted Amount – $919,954
• 2016 Proposed Budget Amount – $791,657

To make matters worse, the library may have to make further cuts to its budget. That’s because the city of Jamestown – which has contributed $365,000 the past few years – is facing its own budget crunch. That’s led the mayor to call for a $15,000 cut in funding for 2016, and that cut may be even higher once the city council amends the spending plan.

Two pieces of artwork in the Prendergast collection that could be auctioned in the coming months: Left: “Industry” by French artist Eugene Romain Thirion – painted in 1874.
Right: “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” by French artist Leon Bazile Perrault, painted in 1884.
Both are from a collection of 32 paintings given to the library at the bequest of the Prendergast family.

The issue of selling the art has become a contentious one for some community members, who’ve spoken out against it and have even started their own Facebook page entitled “Save Local Art” in order to draw attention to the issue. Rankin admits selling the art isn’t a popular move, but it may be the only viable option remaining.

“My take on the entire community is that it would be a real shame to sell any of the pieces, but if we have to sell some to keep the doors open, then that’s a difficult decision that we probably have to make.”

In response the opposition to the artwork sale, the board has asked for fundraising ideas that could be used to help inject a large amount of money into the budget, so it wouldn’t have to sell any items from the art collection.

The library board will discuss its 2016 budget, plus further discuss the art collection situation, during today’s meeting, which begins at 12:15 p.m. and is open to the public.