Federation of Friends

In their recent budget process, the Mayor and the City Council made further reductions to the Library’s FY 2010 budget because of a worse-than-projected revenue forecast that was announced in May. The Mayor reduced the Library’s operating budget by $4.1 million or 8.9% for FY 2010. City Council, in their deliberations on Friday, further reduced the Library’s budget by $7.3 million or 16%. This is a significant cut. Library administrators don’t yet know how it will impact the Library. However, if the Mayor approves this budget, the Library will need to operate very differently than it does now.

We all know the important role libraries play, particularly during tough economic times. Use of the Library has never been greater. DCPL staff are committed to providing DC residents with the best service possible with the resources they have.

The RL Christian and Langston kiosk branch libraries were closed at the end of the day on July 30th. Collections staff have sorted the materials and they should be packed up and moved out by August 4, 2009. Most of the computers have been removed already. DCPL expects to turn the two properties over to the DC Office of Property Management by the end of August, 2009.