Financial Woes Forced Library to Cut Two Librarians

The has started off the new year with the loss of two staff librarians whose positions have been cut as a result of financial woes.

The Library Board of Trustees said the cuts were prompted by increased health care costs and a zero increase in the budget for the past three years.

Judy Mascis, president of the Friends of the Library called the staff cuts “heartbreaking" during the board's reorganization meeting Wednesday night. She said she knew it had to happen but felt it was a move in the wrong direction. 

Dr. Burnett Eglow, a trustee, said this was not a decision that was taken lightly and pointed out that Hasbrouck Heights library is one of the last to fall victim to the struggling economy.

Lisa Traina, board president, said cutting staff was something they have been putting off for the last three years. Increased health care costs is one of the main factors that led to the staff cutbacks. Health care costs also led to the decision to , which has been in effect since October.

The trustees stated that the library has received the same budget amount from the borough for the past three years. Eglow stated that the board will sit down with Mike Kronyak, borough administrator and chief financial officer within the coming weeks to discuss this year’s budget. Eglow said he hopes that the budget will remain the same and that there won’t be further cuts.

He also said he understands that the loss of these two librarians will not make life easy for Mimi Hui, library director, and the rest of the staff, but is confident they will still be able to serve at the level they always have.

During the meeting, Traina read three letters addressed to the Board of Trustees from patrons upset over the loss of Catherine Dodwell, young adult reference librarian and Phyllis Berman, front desk librarian. One writer asked that the board reconsider the cuts. Another asked them to find the money to keep them on. The staff members were let go about two weeks ago, according to Traina.

Mayor Rose Heck explained that the library just does not have the money to easily absorb costs during these tough times. Taxpayers are in dire need she said and referenced the cutbacks that have been made in the municipal offices this past year to keep costs down following a record number of tax appeals and foreclosures.  These are still struggling times, people are still losing jobs and now all must wait for the economy to turn around, she said.

Trustee John Barrata stated it may still be several years before the economy makes a full comeback and therefore making tough decisions such as this one may help prevent worse things down the road such as having to close the library completely.