Library Headquarters
5 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-7371 • www.aacpl.net
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Laurie L. Hayes
For Immediate Release 410.222.7371 (office)
443.995.0728 (cell)
Town Hall Meetings Planned to Discuss Library Budget
(March 2, 2011 – Annapolis, MD)
The Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) budget has been cut 16 percent over the
past four years – much more than any other Anne Arundel County-funded agency. This has resulted in reduced hours,
fewer materials and an elimination of some staff positions. In addition, library workers have been subject to a five percent
pay cut and have had no merit or longevity increases or cost of living allowances for the past two years.
Worried that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget currently being crafted by Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold
will contain further disparate reductions, Skip Auld, Administrator of the Anne Arundel County Public Library, will host a
series of Town Hall meetings in March to discuss library services and funding with all interested parties.
“In the fall,” Auld said, “AACPL asked the County to restore the portion of the budget dedicated to books and other
materials. This funding was cut by $1million, or 33 percent, two years ago. AACPL now has fewer books, movies, music
and databases available for our customers.”
Shortly thereafter, all Anne Arundel County departments except for the Board of Education were asked to submit budget
requests that reflected a 10 percent reduction to the adopted FY 2011 budget.
“We have requested that the County limit any FY 2012 budget reductions to cuts that will allow us to maintain current
operating hours,” Auld added. “Any cuts that are taken beyond four percent will result in a reduction of service hours to the
public, beginning with the elimination of Sunday service at all but one of our branches, extending next to the elimination of
Thursday evening hours at all branches and finally to the closure of all community (10 total) branches on Fridays.
“Budget-wise,” he said, “AACPL falls far short of our counterparts in other counties. Most of our libraries are open only
two-thirds of the hours of nearby library system branches. Even before library cuts began two years ago, we ranked eighth
out of the nine largest jurisdictions in Maryland in overall per capita funding for libraries, at $40 per person. In contrast, the
average funding of these nine library systems is $56.60 per capita.”
„We really are in a make-or-break year with regard to sustaining the materials, programs and services of the Library,” Auld
stressed. “In the current economic climate, libraries are more important than ever. That‟s why we are hoping to get our
message to the people who value the library the most. We want to encourage our customers to add their voice to ours in
asking the County to avoid making any potentially devastating reductions to the Library‟s funding.”
The Town Hall meetings will be held on three consecutive Thursdays, March 10, 17 and 24 at 7 p.m. In addition to Mr.
Auld, other Library Administrative staff will be on hand to answer questions. The County Executive and members of the
County Council have also been invited to attend.
March 10 March 17
West County Area Library Annapolis Area Library
1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton 1410 West Street, Annapolis
410.222.6277 410.222.1750
March 24
North County Area Library
1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
410.222.6270
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Laurie L. Hayes, Manager, Public Relations and Marketing • 410.222.7371 • lhayes@aacpl.net