OGDENSBURG â Despite the challenges of operating during a global pandemic, as well as recent budget cuts and resulting staff shortages, the Ogdensburg Public Library is continuing to adapt in anticipation of the new year.
The library recently lost $100,000 in funding from the city, a 39% budget cut thatâs resulted in cuts to staffing and hours.
Beginning Jan. 1, the library will only have two full-time employees, originally having seven prior to the budget cut, and six part-time employees.
As a result of the cuts and the pandemic, the library also plans to reduce its hours at the beginning of the year, continuing with curbside pick-up only on Saturdays.
Sunday, December 20, 2020 - 8:03 am
BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week
OGDENSBURG – In the 2020 budget Ogdensburg Public Library has lost a $100,000 in funding from the city, which will result in cuts of three full time positions and reduce two additional full-time positions to part-time.
Beginning Jan. 1 the library will have just eight employees, six of which will be part-time.
The lack of funding in recent years caused the library to lose it’s designation as a central library system.
Director Penny Kerfien said it’s a state designation that allowed two part-time jobs to be funded through the state and provided $40,000 toward materials. However to get the designation the library needed to meet criteria from the state that included local funding and operating hours that weren’t possible due to cuts.
Friday, December 18, 2020 - 1:00 pm
OGDENSBURG Ogdensburg City School District is offering a five-hour safe driving course on Monday, Jan. 4 and Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Call 315-393-0900 to register.