Reviews and Blog Posts: Library Budget

Also, you may have seen in the Denver Post recently that Mayor Hancock opposed Councilman Chris Herndon’s potential amendment to increase funding for the Denver Public Library in 2012 in order to support additional hours at branches that serve the poorer neighborhoods in Denver. At the November 7 City Council meeting, Councilman Herndon decided not to bring this amendment forward.

The $32,104,500 budget proposed by Mayor Hancock would provide funding to maintain 2011 service levels: 18 of the 23 branches will be open four days (32 hours) a week; four branches will be open six days (48 hours) a week, and one branch will be open four days a week and a half day on Sunday (36 hours). The Central Library will be open 52 hours a week, with weekend hours from 1-5 p.m. In addition, the budget funds the new branch in Stapleton, at a service level of 32 hours per week.

Mayor Michael Hancock announced on September 13, during his budget presentation to City Council that the Denver Public Library will not close any branches, or further reduce service hours in 2012. The Denver Public Library Commission is holding a Public Hearing about the 2012 Library budget to gather feedback and answer any questions Denver residents may have.

I often find myself explaining how the Library has managed to renovate many of our locations, open a new branch at Green Valley Ranch, and plans to build two more branches in Stapleton and in West Denver as we are facing the possibility of closing branches to meet our 2012 budget reduction target.