The Palmer Library is helping its tornado-damaged counterpart in Monson, the Monson Free Library.
Palmer Public Library.PALMER - The Palmer Public Library is reducing its hours effective July 1, as a result of a $25,000 cut to its fiscal 2012 budget.
Like in past years, the North Main Street library will be closed on Saturdays during July and August, but also is changing its hours for Mondays and Fridays.
Now, the library is open noon to 8 p.m. on Mondays, and that's changing to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays, the library will close at 2 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. Hours will remain 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays.
While Saturday hours are expected to resume in September, after Labor Day, the changes to Mondays and Fridays will remain in effect, according to Library Director Nancy E. Menard.
Menard said the $25,000 represents a 3.5 percent cut to the budget, leaving the library with $660,990 to operate in the fiscal year starting July 1. Last year's appropriation was $684,965. Over the last three years, she said the library has been cut $77,000.
"We have no other choice, unfortunately," Menard said. "We do not want to be reducing hours. We find our usage of the library has been increasing."
She said they have been seeing an influx of patrons from Monson, as the library in that town is closed indefinitely due to tornado damage.
Menard said her staff is helping Monson students with their summer reading lists, and also is taking donations to benefit the Monson Free Library. Money from overdue fines also will go to the Monson Free Library. Both initiatives will last until July 31.
Menard noted that the library is not the only department whose budget has been cut during these difficult fiscal times. She added that it also is losing a part-time library assistant position, representing $12,000, who works 18.5 hours a week. There are 11 full-timers, including Menard. After July 1, she will have only one part-time position, a page.
She said the library recently kicked off its summer reading program, "One World, Many Stories," and has done its best "not to impact" programs it has offered in the past.