Tuscaloosa Public Library Funding Shortfall Prompts Operational Changes, Hiring Freeze

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Public Library Board of Trustees on Monday announced that it is implementing operational changes in the face of a funding shortfall that has been exacerbated by rampant inflation.

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TPL said in an effort to maintain minimal staffing levels and provide the best possible library experience, the library will reduce operational hours at all three of its locations and implement further cost-saving strategies.

“Deciding to implement these measures was not an easy one,” Board of Trustees Chair Florence Williams said in a press release. “The Board fully supports the Library’s administration and staff. Even with service hour changes and spending reductions, we will do our very best to fulfill the Library’s mission and core values to serve the public as best we can.”

While the measures are drastic, TPL insisted that at least one of the library system's three locations will be open every day of the week.

“The Tuscaloosa Public Library will continue providing learning opportunities for our community as best we can with limited resources," TPL Executive Director Jennifer Pearson said. "It continues to be our mission to help our community Read, Learn, Grow, and Live."

The following changes will go into effect Nov. 1

• The Main Branch will be closed on Mondays but will remain open the remainder of the week.
• The Main Branch will be open Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 2-6 p.m.
• The Weaver-Bolden and Brown branches will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursday.
• Both of the aforementioned branches will be open the following days: Monday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday, 1-5 p.m.

What's more, the library board also voted to implement a hiring freeze, removing 10 unfilled positions from the budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

TPL explained that spending for books and materials will be reduced by 30%, which will include the elimination of eight electronic resources: Freegal, Rocket Languages, Tumble Books, True Flix, Foundation Center, Kanopy, Swank Movie Licensing, and Heritage Quest

Lastly, TPL said its library’s programming budget will be reduced by 40% — with the 2023 Summer Reading Program cut from 8 weeks to 4 weeks.

The changes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, TPL says, in direct response to the library system's operational needs.

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