Port Moody Public Library may have to lay off staff because of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director Marc Saunders said cutting jobs “certainly is an option” as the library deals with an expected revenue loss of more than $80,000, much of it caused by the public health crisis that closed the facility for several months and has subsequently restricted its operations.
In a presentation to Port Moody council on Oct. 27, library board chair Pat Merrett said the library anticipates losing $50,795 in grants it receives for lending materials to residents from other communities, as well as $8,578 in operating grants it receives from the province. It also expects to take in $11,200 less in fine revenue from late returns, $6,000 less in printing and photocopying and $2,750 less from the sale of books and other miscellaneous items.
The losses will leave the library about $68,000 over its allocated budget of $1.94 million for the coming year.
Merrett said the board has identified several potential cost savings, including $3,000 for sending staff to conferences, $6,000 for training and education as well as $2,047 for processing books. She said another $27,940 could be culled from other areas if required.
But, she added, the latter cuts would diminish the library’s ability to return to full services when the pandemic is over.
Merrett said after a record-setting year for circulation and program attendance in 2019, the pandemic exacted a significant toll this year. But the isolation and anxiety that’s accompanied the crisis has made its services more vital than ever before.
“Our staff have been true leaders in breaking down isolation through innovative programming for all ages,” she said, adding the library’s circulation of materials has rebounded to about 70% of last year’s levels since it reopened.
Retaining that staff, which accounts for almost 90% of the library’s budget, as well as its ability to acquire materials “are core to the library’s mission,” Merrett said.
But Coun. Hunter Madsen suggested with so many other city departments enduring layoffs because of the pandemic, reducing library staffing levels might be “a worthwhile thing to be exploring.”
Merrett said the library is hopeful that could be prevented if further support from senior levels of government comes through.
