As the popularity of the Durango Public Library has risen, advocates argue staffing has not kept pace.
The number of people working at the library has not increased since the recession, even though more people are visiting and more materials are being checked out, according to a Library Advisory Board letter to city and county officials.
“I know that they will do the best they can under circumstances, and I know they are doing that,” said Margaret Cozine, chairwoman of the board. “I just think it is unfair to drop a new building, cut your staff, see the numbers go up and not give them some relief. It’s been seven years.”
Ranked against 15 comparable libraries in the region, Durango was last for number of staff per 1,000 people served, according to 2014 data from the Library Research Service. The library board would like to see the city and county provide money for a circulation manager and two part-time employees to restore the library to a more sustainable staffing level.
Since the circulation manager’s position was cut in 2009, people from other departments have covered the responsibilities.
“It isn’t in my mind an efficient way or the best way to run this library,” Cozine said.
The three proposed positions would cost about $166,400 per year. The library is funded through a joint city-county sales tax that is expected to provide about $2 million in 2016.
Cozine doesn’t believe it would be possible to reallocate money for the positions within the existing budget. “I think it’s a bare-bones budget,” she said.
The library employs the equivalent of 30 full-time employees, although some of the positions are part time.
Durango City Council has agreed to meet with the Library Advisory Board to discuss the request for more positions, Cozine said. She is also reaching out to La Plata County commissioners about the request.
Councilor Sweetie Marbury is a member of the library board and said she is looking forward to a conversation about more funding.
“That will be a discussion that the city and county will have together,” she said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
