« December 2005 | Main | February 2006 »

January 31, 2006

Dollars and Sense

The Library presented its proposed budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 to the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, January 26th. The budget proposal can also be seen on our web site.

The budget proposal represents an increase of 4.0%, with no new services and a decline in staffing that results from outsourcing and reorganization. The proposal contains an increase in expenditures of $92,261, to a total of $2,391,989.

The taxpayers of Darien provide the funding for the Library’s operations and salaries. The Friends of the Darien Library buy all of the books, DVDs, CDs, electronic resources, computers and software.

When George Wyper, President of the Board of Trustees, spoke to the Selectmen, he thanked them for their support of the public-private partnership that has resulted in an extraordinary resource for the community.

Jim Clark, Trustee and Treasurer of the Library, presented details of the budget and answered questions. He focused on the measures the Library has taken to reduce staffing costs, by analyzing work flow, and by outsourcing non-traditional services where it is cost-effective. Darien Library is more than twice as efficient as nearby libraries, and has the lowest cost of circulation in the state.

The presentation to the Selectmen was the second public presentation of the budget proposal, following a public session held at the Library on Wednesday evening, January 18th.

There will be a public hearing on the Selectmen’s Budget at Town Hall, on the evening of Tuesday, February 7th.

If you have questions about the Library’s budget proposal, you may call Louise Berry, Director, at 655-1234, or email her at the link given on the Library’s web site.

Posted by Kim at 03:17 PM