Athens Clarke County Library Officials Ask Commissioners for Budget Increase

There's one way for the Athens Clarke County Library to reduce its budget by 2 percent: it can close on Thursday afternoon at 1pm instead of staying open until 9pm as it now does.

That's the least painful scenario for the well-used facility, said Dennis Hopper, chairman of the library board. Hopper and library director Kathy Ames were speaking to the Athens Clarke County Commissioners Thursday night as budget hearings begin for the local government.

The library was one of several agencies coming before the Commissioners and Mayor Denson. has been expanded to meet the needs of its growing, diverse group of patrons in a digital age. The 2005 SPLOST funds used for the expansion and upgrade have increased the size of the building by 33 percent.

There are more computers, more space to heat and cool and a resulting increase in electricity. So the library is asking for a bigger slice of the county pie this fiscal year to cover the cost of utilities and benefits.