Following the September 23 announcement that each of Bedford's three libraries faces up to ten percent in funding reductions next year, library boards and staff have been meeting to identify how the cuts will affect their institutions and patrons.

In some cases, such as the Bedford Village Library, which receives $355,396 from the town—about 75 percent of it annual budget—no cuts in services or hours are anticipated. At the Katonah Village Library, where $636,919 supplies about 80 percent of its operating budget, a reduction in hours is on the table. But at the Bedford Hills Free Library, where town funds supply 92 percent of its $401,000 budget, library officials say the drop in financial support from the town could mean a loss in staff or ability to acquire new materials.

"It's so painful—libraries are the heart and soul of our town," Bedford supervisor Lee Roberts told Patch. "And though each of these libraries have wonderfully distinct personalities, we have to treat them all the same—and we have to ask the same of our libraries this year that we have asked of our other departments," she said, referring to the fact that the libraries have been spared of cuts the last three years.

Roberts said the financial squeeze was caused by rising expenses, having to pay for state mandates like stormwater cleanup, and declining revenues. The 2010 budget included a $1 million allocation from fund balances—next year, she said, the town could not use fund balance without risking its good financial standing.

Bedford Hills Free Library

Heide Shilstone, president of the BHFL board of trustees, said that though the town has provided "the lion's share," of operating expenses, they have had to increase their fundraising efforts to maintain services:  two appeals to local donors, special benefit events and applying for grants—resulting in close to $40,000 last year.

"But we don't have someone on staff to run the events and it takes time away from the day to day running of the library," she said. "And very few grants are available for operating costs—most are tied to special programs," she said.

Rhoda Gushue, library director, noted that their circulation had almost doubled since 1977 but the same number of staff was processing the items. "And we didn't buy anything new at the end of last year for several months—we may have to take that step again. After that, we may have to cut benefits for our staff, some of whom have been here many years with very conservative salary increases," she said.

The library cannot cut its hours any more without risking a loss of their state library charter. Though Gushue and Shilstone said that cutting a staff person would severely impact their ability to deliver services, it was a possibility.

To hear more about how the news of the funding reduction is affecting the Bedford Hills Free Library, play the video posted with this story.

Katonah Village Library

The library board and finance committee have met in the wake of the budget cut announcement, said Library Director Van Kozelka.

"A reduction in hours is possible. And we are re-evaluating the way we ask for money in our appeals," she said. Last year they library asked for funds without mentioning any change in services—this year, an appeal would surely reflect potential cuts in hours or days of operation, she said.

The library has an endowment that the trustees may consider using, she said, but no decisions had been made yet. The library is in the middle of its fall fundraising push, with a book sale starting Oct. 23 and a benefit party on Oct. 29. Following those events, they'll have a firmer idea of where they stand, said Kozelka.

Bedford Village Library

Ann Cloonan, library director also said the library was preparing its annual appeal, a funding stream they "relied heavily upon" to raise 25 percent of their operating budget.

She said they had "seen it coming", and felt that each town department had to do their part in tough financial times.

Their circulation increased by six percent this year, and with two full-time employees and eight part-timers, she said their volunteer force was critical to maintaining services.

Planned maintenance to the building is being put off, and they have not replaced a full-time young adult librarian who left last year.

The town must draft a budget by October 31 and adopt their final budget by the end of December. The next work session on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the town courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.