Library News

Warren-Trumbull County Public Library announces staff layoffs

(06/30/20) – A projected decrease in state funding that caused the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library to reduce library hours and services has also made it necessary for the system to reduce its staff level by 30 employees.

Library Director Jim Wilkins said layoffs effective June 30 will reduce the number of library employees by about 25 percent across the system. The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library (W-TCPL) includes libraries in Brookfield, Cortland, Howland, Liberty, Lordstown, and Warren; a Bookmobile; and Homebound Library Service.

One employee is retiring and 29 employees have been permanently laid off from the library. The layoffs include positions across multiple library locations and departments.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision,” said Wilkins. “We understand the impact this action will have on our employees and their families in what is already a very challenging time.”

The W-TCPL had furloughed 97 full- and part-time employees in early May as a result of the library’s extended closure due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty of those furloughed employees were brought back to the library when it reopened June 1, and 37 will be returning when the library moves to the second phase of its reopening plan.

Wilkins said a projected decrease in state funding means the library is looking at a potential loss of revenue of nearly $1 million per year. About 56% of the W-TCPL’s budget comes from the Public Library Fund, which receives 1.7% of the total general tax revenue collected by the State of Ohio.

The layoffs combined with other cost-saving measures, including a reduction in the materials budget, will save the library nearly $1 million.

“As we realized that our funding will be greatly reduced for the remainder of the year, it became clear it is necessary to reduce our operating costs,” said Wilkins. “As good stewards of our public funds, we feel compelled to take this step to keep within our budget.”

The cuts in staffing align with a reduction of library hours implemented following the library’s reopening. Prior to the March 2020 shutdown, the W-TCPL had been open 325 hours per week across all its locations. The library system is currently open 200 hours per week. When the library enters the next phase of its reopening plan, all locations will be open for a combined 284 hours per week.

“Our library staff shows remarkable dedication to our customers, and serving the community continues to be our priority,” Wilkins said.

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For more information, contact: Cheryl Bush, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, at bushc@wtcpl.org.