PRINCETON: Library asks for higher funding from Princeton

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
   The Princeton Public Library board of trustees has asked the council for an increase in taxpayer funding to support a library that had more than 840,000 visitors last year.
   Library officials proposed to spend $5.6 million in 2013, an amount that includes capital requests for technology, a new phone system and other things outlined in the budget request to the governing body. Overall, spending would be up around $941,197 since 2010.
   Library Director Leslie Burger said Wednesday that the library has not heard back from the town on its request for more money. The council is scheduled April 1 to introduce its municipal budget, which will contain the library funding that has historically been greater than the minimum required by state law.
   ”As far as the budget goes, there have been no final decisions on any of the operating budgets or requests,” said Business Administrator Robert W. Bruschi in an email Wednesday.
   The majority of the spending is $5 million worth of operating expenses that cover employee salaries and benefits, materials like books and CDs, and supplies, among other things to help the library run 74 hours each week. The library board requested $4 million from the town this year — up 4.6 percent from last year — while $1 million in donations, the library endowment, grants and library fees cover the rest.
   ”After holding the line on budget request increases for the last four years, we are requesting this increase to help cover increased health benefits, unemployment and disability insurance and pension contributions,” read the budget submission to the town. “Despite these challenges, we continually examine and contain our operating expenses by eliminating positions, holding critical vacancies open for longer periods of time, renegotiating contracts with vendors and employing new technology to improve workflow.”
   Also, the library is seeking $150,000 to pay for two-hour parking for its patrons.
   Separate from that, the library has asked for $412,077 in capital requests to “support building and technology infrastructure improvements and other miscellaneous projects,” the request said.
   Among those are $91,077 for the first of three phases of replacing the carpeting; $30,000 for a replacement truck used to transport books and other uses; and $100,000 for furniture and painting.
   In 2012, the two towns did not have capital budgets so the library is seeking to make up for last year and this year in one overall request.
   Mayor Liz Lempert, a member of the library board, said Wednesday that she loved the town’s “incredible” library. But on the subject of its funding increase, she said the town is preparing its budget and, as a “general rule,” is trying to keep expenditures flat or finding places to save money.
   Last year, as a candidate for mayor, she promised there would no municipal tax increase in 2013.
   Kiki Jamieson, library board president, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
   Ms. Burger, the director for 14 years, has held the library out as the community’s “living room.” In listing 2012 accomplishments, overall attendance was anticipated to reach 844,509 people.
   In addition, the library had more than 1,900 programs, including everything from film festivals to instructional classes. Ms. Burger said the library provides “an amazing level of service.”
   Aside from being the community’s living room, the library became a de facto shelter in the wake of Superstorm Sandy last year. By its count, the library said more than 29,000 people passed through its doors to be able to recharge their cell phones, use computers and have a “comfortable place” until the power at their homes was restored.
   ”The demand for study and seating space in the library continues to grow each year, and it is never more evident than when the library opens in response to a storm,” the budget request read.