STATE COLLEGE — Schlow Centre Region Library, which had figured on a 12 percent reduction in state funding in the new budget, learned last week that its state subsidy will instead be cut by 20.1 percent.
Library Director Betsy Allen, who laid off two of the library’s 17 full-time employees in anticipation of the 12 percent cut, said Tuesday she will consult with the library's board of directors to decide what steps to take.
"I'm still working on the numbers," Allen said.
The state's subsidy to libraries across the commonwealth was reduced from $75 million in the former budget to $60 million in the new budget. Another line item for certain statewide services, such as online databases, was reduced from $11 million to $3 million.
State Sen. Jake Corman, chairman of the Senate appropriations committee, confirmed the reduction in library funding Tuesday. "Obviously that's not a place you like to cut but trying to close a $3.5 billion deficit without a tax increase is difficult,: Corman said.
Allen said the $623,000 that Schlow library got in the 2008-09 state budget will be reduced by 20.1 percent. Because Schlow is a district library, the cuts will also reduce services at libraries in Bellefonte, Philipsburg, Aaronsburg and Centre Hall.
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