By HILLARY WUNDROW, Courier staff writer

OTTUMWA - Ottumwans will have fewer new books to read this year due to library budget problems.

Declining revenues and mounting expenses have forced the Ottumwa Public Library to slow down book purchases and consider closing their doors.

The staff is working harder than ever so the library can pull through tight times, said Stacy Moran, director of children's programming.

³I can't imagine a town without a library,\ she said.

The library officials first faced mounting expenses in fiscal year 2000-2001 when they had to make Y2K software upgrades, repair a damaged roof and pay high heating bills during the frigid winter, library board of trustees President Steve Welker said.

These growing expenditures were in addition to the 5 percent annual salary increases the board had decided on in 1998.

³At that time, the board was concerned staff wasn't adequately compensated. One of the librarians with a masters degree was making $9.91 an hour,\ Welker said.

Ottumwa was growing at that time and the library was receiving more property tax money for 1999-2000, Welker added.

At about the time expenses rose, the interest the library received on its endowment funds started declining due to the stock market crash and subsequent recession in 2000.

One of the library's largest trusts, the Hackworth Endowment, went from $72,478 in February 2001 down to $38,605 available for fiscal year 2002.

Library revenue comes from three sources: property tax revenue, endowment funds and state contributions.

Although residents find their property taxes going up by a rate of $1.56 per $1,000 assessed valuation, the revenue the library receives from taxes is dropping because the taxable valuation of the city is going down, Welker said.

³Next year, the property tax revenue will go down another 2.6 percent,\ Welker said.

To help reduce expenses, the library board has hesitated to replace three full-time staff members who resigned in October. It has saved $25,000 to date on salary expenses, Welker said.

At a board meeting Thursday, Welker suggested the library close for two weeks in August to ensure no staff shortages result from vacation time.

Moran opposed the idea and urged the board to consider reducing the hours of operation in order to ensure quality service over quantity.

³What use is it to be open all these hours, but not have the staff to cover it?\ she asked.

To remedy the library financial challenges, state and local organizations have stepped in.

The library foundation started contributing $20,000 in 2002 in addition to private citizens offering donations and assistance with fund-raisers.

The Ottumwa Service League contributed a new batch of books for adults, and the Friends of the Library purchased crafts for the children's programs, with Moran chipping in also.

The staff is doing a heroic job and the public has been very generous, Welker said.

The library needs to just get through a few bad years and things will look up, Moran said.

With the new Vaughn Automotive, Applebee's, and Wal-Mart Supercenter, property tax revenue will start increasing in a couple years, Welker said.

Until then, we are basically not buying books, he added.

Tom Rodgers, member of the Heiland Storm band, will play in a benefit Saturday night from 6-9 at the library to help raise funds. Donations of $2 or more will be collected at the door.

The Ottumwa Courier

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002