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Hernando Today

$4M library fund raises questions

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: July 3, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando County's four main libraries were recently forced to reduce hours and close certain days due to the budget crunch.

The service reductions irritated many residents, who complained at public meetings and through letters to the newspaper.

Conditions were reportedly so dire there was even talk of privatizing the library system, an idea that died quickly after more complaints from the public and from Library Services Director Barbara Shiflett.

But since Hernando Today learned the library has a $4 million fund set aside in rolled-over state aid to library money, some are questioning whether conditions are as dire as they were previously portrayed.

Commissioner David Russell said he and County Administrator David Hamilton plan to meet with Shiflett to discuss ways of using a chunk of that $4 million to hire additional personnel and keep the library open six days a week.

Recognizing that $4 million is a "significant amount," Russell said the county could free up general fund money currently going to the library and use it to offset law enforcement costs.

"I can't imagine there could not be way more flexibility as to how the state aid to libraries money is used," said Russell, who plans to broach the issue to his colleagues during the July 28 budget workshop.

The library's budget for 2009 is $2.56 million.

The main library in Brooksville and the West Hernando branch off State Road 50 were forced to close Saturdays and the Spring Hill branch on Mondays.

The $4 million is the result of annual state payments to the operation and maintenance of the county's four full-service libraries. But because it wasn't all needed, it has been rolled over each year.

Health and Human Resources Director Jean Rags, who oversees library operations, said Shiflett is responsible for the spending and monitoring of that $4 million.

Rags said if Shiflett wants to spend any portion of that money, she must get clearance from the county budget office, the administrator's office and ultimately county commissioners.

When asked why the director had to reduce operating hours and close one day a week when there was $4 million in the account, Rags said it is important the county not spend it all in one year so there is enough left for future needs, especially if the state decides to reduce its annual aid.

Shiflett is on vacation and was unavailable for comment.

Commissioner Jim Adkins said he was not aware of the $4 million fund. He said it hasn't been well-publicized.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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