The -- The -- You know, my best estimate of what we'll collect this year is pretty close to $800,000. And, you know... And... You know, this is... And -- and as I mentioned earlier, my fear is that the likelihood of -- regardless of what rate of fines we establish, that is -- that is likely to be -- We seem to have hit a plateau, what I'm trying to say. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is the 800,000 based on the current fee or fine level, without an increase? No increase in the --
No. The $800,000 estimate is what we received -- what we collected before the fine increase, and what we are likely to see -- receive this year after the fine increase. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And of the $200,000 under the current memorandum of understanding two seventy-six would go to the 2570 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 City.
That's correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So if we were able to reverse that or get a relaxation of that memorandum of understanding, you'd have $800,000, which leads me to my next question which was a follow-up to Councilman Kelly. A million five would get us to the level we were at in January, staffing and hours.
Yes, that's correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So, assuming we can get a relaxation on the $800,000, and we need a million five, that would leave us $700,000 short of what we need to get back to January of this year.
That's correct. We also have to pay attention to some other things, sir. And that is -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Something new.
No, no, no. I mentioned earlier we're perilously close to 2571 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 falling below the state requirement in the amount of money we spend on books. As I indicated, some of that money goes for children's books, that fine money. You know, we need to look at -- at some of those things. If all of that money goes to personnel, we just have to be -- we have to go into that process with our -- with our best understanding of its impact. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It's been a while since, I know, you've been testifying. And maybe I missed this earlier.
Councilman, excuse me just a minute, please. Mr. Shelkrot, if in fact we were to do that, wouldn't a lot of the programs be affected?
Oh, okay. Well, I'm sorry. You know, I -- I was trying to be specific. 2572 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 Our volunteer program is supported with that. You know, you -- you have to have people to supervise volunteers. You have to have, you know, badges. You have to -- We do, you know, a little -- a very, very modest celebration for volunteers. We encourage a whole variety of things with that money, in terms of getting volunteers to -- to participate. In addition to that, the -- there are programs that we do for the children in -- especially in the poorest communities of Philadelphia that are supported with that. I mean, there would be absolutely an effect of that on our program and what we're able to do for the people of Philadelphia. It is -- You know, it will certainly have an effect. And if all of that money goes to support staff...
But I think you're going to... What you're really in essence doing is cutting those programs, because if you turn to of your supporting schedules and the budget in brief, 2573 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 you're collecting $1,277,000 in library fees to the General Fund. That is to the General Fund.
That's a document I don't -- I don't -- I do not have. And if that's the figure that is -- is there, I would -- You know, I just need to see it. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Just happen to have it, huh, Charley?
That is the figure that's budgeted. That is the same figure that you were...
That's what I'm referring to. Now, do you concur with that?
And what does that do to the programs from the foundations, for instance?
When -- when this budget was put together, it was before -- it -- especially this part of it. It was before it became clear to us that we were not 2574 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 increasing our revenue from fine collection at all. And... You know, and -- and it would not have... would not have done that. You know, the way we figured the fine increases, we looked at data from what occurred around -- what occurred around the country and also the data... also the data of our own experience when fines were increased. You know, there was an initial increase. But later, after people got over the, quote, sticker shock, the fines then started to increase even more. And it was based on the time when we put that together, we thought that we would not only have the money that we, you know, anticipated raising but there would be more. And we know that is not correct now.
Well, as I said, I think your budget's certainly going to have to be amended. And while you're talking to the Finance Department, I think this is one very important issue that you should take up with them.
Councilman DiCicco, I'm sorry I interrupted you, but that was an issue that... COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I understand.
...I had brought up earlier, and I don't think that I had gotten a response to. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. And so I'll disregard that line of questioning. I think it's been answered. Earlier this morning Councilman Kenny brought up a subject about the after-school program children and youth or... It's been a while.
The after-school program, the L.E.A.P. -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yes.
What we call the L.E.A.P. program? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yes. And there was a lady came up to testify, and said you would be hiring a consultant. What is the purpose of hiring a consultant? What will be the role that can -- What do you expect to 2576 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 get out of that consultant?
Hedra Packman, in the office of public service support. This was a private donation to design an evaluation for the after-school program. And it will be a model because our after-school program is a drop-in program. It's different than most around. And so it's something that hasn't been done. And it's a way of our telling whether it's effective. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It's a private donation?
Yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And that will pay for the consultant?
Let me explain, that the donor was considering adding money to that program but wanted to see the data that proved its effectiveness. And when we explained, although we -- we evaluated by the number of people coming. And one could say anecdotal about 2577 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 how -- its effect on youngsters, its effect on teenagers. They wanted to see a -- a study that was done by a -- a educational researcher. And they said, we'll provide you the money for that, and then we will consider whether to add to that program later on. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Will the study also look at possible effects on the program as a result of the fact that there will not be librarians or maybe other personnel who would be in the library at the time these programs are being put to use?
That -- That -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Or was that donation made prior to the --
It was made prior. Whether that will show or not I couldn't tell you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is the donor or donors, are they aware of the fact that there are now reduced hours and librarians are being replaced with other personnel?
I -- I would assume 2578 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 the donor knows this. The program runs with --
The donor does know that. And I think this is an added affect to the kind of evaluation that can be done.
And the program does run with an after-school leader hired for every branch and three teens from the neighborhood hired as well. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. My final question. If City Council were able to find the $5 million to fully restore the cuts that are being proposed -- Some have already been implemented. And I don't know where the $3.5 is coming from yet, other than the General Fund that would support the debt service for the bond. If you had to make a choice between the two, the three and a half million dollars to support the debt service for the expansion or five and a half million dollars to fully fund and keep our branch libraries open at full level of hours and the librarians, what 2579 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 would your answer to that be, Mr. Shelkrot?
Well, first of all, as you -- as you fully know, that is -- that is not a decision that I -- I can make, you know -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm asking you --
No; I understand. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm asking you as the chief person, who has a lot of decision -- I respect the job you do. And I think I've said that to you a number of times publicly and privately. But we're in decision making. We may not have to make it today, but I'm just curious as to what your position would be. And I'm sure that you may be asked that question. That may be posed to you. If that were a decision you had to make, keeping all our branch libraries open, full staff, the librarians, what we've all become accustomed to in the last couple years vis-a-vis an expansion, what would your answer be? 2580 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
I feel like I'm asked to be Solomon. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: No. I'm not asking -- Solomon would have to make a decision --
I know. That's what I'm saying. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- to split the baby in half.
That's what I'm saying. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Keep one baby whole. Just keep the baby whole. There's no 15 decision -- You're not -- It's either -- It's not -- You can't -- You have to go either way. Either way. Make a decision.
Well, but in this case, to keep the baby whole, you know... you know, first of all, let me say that I know the number three and a half million dollars has been floated around as the cost of the debt service. You know, I'm not a bond attorney. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Two and a half 2581 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 million, a million. Whatever it is.
Okay. All right. Okay. Whatever it is. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Whatever the cost that is related to support the debt on the bonds, all right? Whatever that cost may be. Vis-a-vis versus keeping the libraries, branch libraries, open, if you had to make that choice, what would your choice be?
My experience is that the economy goes in cycles. That is my experience. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I think you've answered my question.
Sir, and therefore -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Your answer is, you're not willing to answer that.
No. I was going to say if -- Given that they are not equal, they are not equal issues, I have never been presented to me that we will give you the money in your operating budget to spend if we do not spend it on the debt service. I've been here, sir, as I believe 2582 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 was mentioned in the hearing in last month, I've been in this position for years. 4 That kind of question has never been 5 presented to me. It is not my decision to 6 make. 7 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: There's always 8 a first. 9
It is the Council's 13 position -- It is the Council's position and 14 the Mayor's -- decision and the Mayor's 15 decision [sic]. 16 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And as the 17 gatekeeper of the library, that decision is 18 some -- We're going to have to make those decision in this Council. And I'm asking you, as someone who has spent 18 years of his life, is it more important to do the expansion or is it more important to keep libraries in the neighborhoods open and fully staffed?
Sir, it's important 2583 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 that we do both. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: If we only have a choice to do one, what would your choice be?
My choice, knowing that every economy until now has rebounded... (Mumbling.)
...I would do the central library. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Do you live in my district? Because I've got a feeling you may be the guy they're going to put up against me because you're doing a very good job.
If history does repeat itself... COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Oh, God.
In spite of that, you know, with -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And earlier today I think you said you were not --
I would -- I would say that, you know... COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: A mind reader, 2584 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 a fortune teller. I'm asking you a question. And I think that's important. I think it's important for us to know, because it is a major decision that all of us will have to make, individually and collectively, to make those -- Because we're being asked to make that, in my opinion right now. We're being asked to agree to the cuts, not figure out what we can do to make it better, but yet support a $30 million loan. We're already being asked that question as Council members, plain and simple. And I know what my answer is, and I think I've made that perfectly clear. I'm asking you, as the person in charge of the Free Library of the City of Philadelphia. And I don't really want to get you in trouble with the administration. You're probably already in trouble there. And I know that the people from the foundation are looking to you. But they, I think, have the same and should have the same interest that we all have, is how to maintain 2585 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 the Free Library system for all Philadelphians and all branches, not just one building in the City of Philadelphia. And that's why I was asking you that question because we have to make that decision.
In order to maintain the Free Library of Philadelphia as an entire system, with all the things that the central library does and means to this City, all the things that it does for the branches, means to the branches, and means to the City as a whole, if there was such a choice, I would say we had better invest in the central library. (Boos.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I appreciate your honesty. I disagree, obviously, but I do appreciate you're answering that question. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam 2586 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 President. May I have the Budget Director, please?
I'm sorry. I believe the Councilman is asking that the Budget Director approach. Approach the witness table, please.
Madam Director, I think you've been here for the entire painful time. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: She has a cushion.
I asked the Director if the Council and/or other outside entities provide additional funding based on the various scenarios that we've asked to be provided something that is more than where we were recently which was emergency closure status, leading toward full service restoration. So, what the Council is asking for is a plan that takes us a little bit beyond 2587 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 where we recently were but maybe not completely immediately to the promised land, but showing a transition to that. What is the Budget Office position today on any funding being restored or additionally appropriated to the library, and the library system being able to spend those dollars? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: Diane Reed, Budget Director. I would say that if there is funding that is provided, additional new revenue provided for the libraries, that the authorization for that spending would go to the libraries.
Okay. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I mean, I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but that would be my assumption.
New 2588 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 revenue? I think it was indicated new revenues.
Right. I did pick that up, Madam Chair, and I'll query that. But based on your statement, why doesn't that position apply to the current fiscal year and the million dollars that this Council gave about eight months ago? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I really don't know what happened with that. Before I came.
Well, I understand that. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I would imagine that this --
We're in the same fiscal year. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: Yeah.
So where tell me this: Where is the million dollars? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I -- As I understand it, there was an error in not showing it as revenue.
Well, I 2589 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 understand the error issue. Are you now saying that the million dollars is included in the current budget? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: No, it's not included. The thing that has happened at the current budget --
Well, let's go back. When you say that was an error, are you saying that the budget that was in front of us last year that we approved, upon which this Council believed that it was adding a million dollars -- I mean, we approved an amendment to the budget, with a laundry list of items. We put back $2 million in the budget for the Art Museum. We put back, I believe, 60 some thousand dollars for the Atwater Kent Museum. We put back additional money for the African American Museum. We put back recreation dollars, District Attorney, fire station. I mean, there were possibly somewhere between 8 to 12 separate lines in that amendment. I did the amendment. This Council adopted it in the 2590 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 budget. When you say that there was an error, tell me where the error was. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I actually don't know.
And how the million relates to that. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I don't know exactly where the error was. I'd have to get back to you on that. I'm sorry. I don't know.
But someone told you that there was an error. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: Yes.
Who told you that? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: Peggy Van Belle.
Okay. Is Peggy in today? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: Yes, she is.
Okay. Can you get her over here, please? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I will do 2591 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 that.
I'll wait my turn. We have other departments. I want an answer to the question. I cannot function in this kind of environment. I cannot do my job if everyone gets the opportunity to point to somebody else and we can never get to the end. There is an answer to this question. We may not like the answer. Some may not want to hear the answer. But there is an answer. I mean, unless it just flew out the window, unless we are so flush with cash that we can't even keep track of the limited dollars that we have, which I know is not the case, someone knows the answer to this question. So, I'm going to ask you. Other members may have questions. I'd like to have that person over here. I want an answer to the question. And I understand that you're not able to provide it. You weren't the person, 2592 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 all of that. If I could track down Rob Dubow, who I'm going to send an e-mail to, I'd like to get him down here this afternoon. But we'll take Peggy for the moment. Okay? Mr. Shelkrot, possibly my last question.
But I always reserve the right to come back. You're hiring or you're proposing to hire seasonal employees; is that correct?
So that we can maintain some service in the branches that 18 will be afternoon service, afternoon only. 19
So, we're going 20 to lay off by variance. I'll come back to that. Lay off librarians, take them out of the branches, and now we have to spend money to bring in the seasonals.
Right? 2593 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 Okay. And my recollection is, a seasonal does not work all months of the 4 year, correct? 5
I think it can vary. 10 I believe that they are... they can work a 11 specified number of hours during the year. 12 Off the top of my head, I don't have that, but it does not equal what a full-time employee would work during the year.
My understanding is it's a specified number of hours. If somebody can help me with that, I'd be happy to... Kevin or...
And so what happens when the seasonal runs up against their threshold of hours?
I can tell you the hours seasonal people, I was just informed, 2594 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 work months a year, hours a week. 3
10 months a year, 16 6 hours a week. 7 I don't know if that's the overall 8 requirement, but those are -- that's what we 9 normally hire -- hire seasonal people to do. 10
Okay. And what 11 happens when their seasonal time is up? 12
They're -- They're 13 not employed by the -- the Free Library of 14 Philadelphia. 15
Then we recruit... Oh. Okay. Well, they are hired specifically -- And Kevin, you can come -- reach over and grab the mike.
They are hired for -- to cover on the Saturdays that we are open. That's the normal way that the seasonal people have been used in the past. And you may recall that in the summer the branches are not open on Saturdays, have not in the past been open on Saturdays.
Right. So they can work -- What is it? 15 16 hours a week for 10 months a year? 16
But you you said you're hiring them to work on Saturdays?
Yeah. Yeah. In the past we have hired the seasonal people to work 10 months a year 16 hours a week. They not only work on Saturday.
But it allows us to spread our staff out further so that we can 2596 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 have people on board on Saturdays.
What qualifies you to be a seasonal employee in the library?
It depends on the position. If they're a guard, they have to meet those requirements. If they're a library assistant, they have to meet those requirements.
Are there benefits for seasonal people? That's a very good question. UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: No. 19
No, there are not benefits for seasonal people. You know, they -- There are part-time people who do not work a full year, and there are various state and federal requirements.
Now, let me ask 2597 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 this question. You propose to lay off -- It was 17 librarians, right? 4
Okay. 13 Now, have any of those librarians 14 left the city payroll? 15
Not yet. Some people 17 took voluntary layoffs, and the people who took voluntary layoffs are off the City payroll. The final...
How do you take a voluntary layoff? What does that mean?
You contact the Personnel Director and you say that you'd like to be voluntarily laid off. There are people who decided, for personal reasons, 2598 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 that they would like to separate from work.
Okay. So of the 13, how many have left the City payroll?
The final layoff is supposed to take place on Friday. So, Monday would be the first day that these people would be off of the City payroll. And at the end of the layoff, there are 12 people who would be laid off, 2 of whom are librarians and 10 of whom are library trainees.
So out of the 13 librarians, only 2 will actually leave the City payroll. Is that what you're saying?
Okay. So what do you expect... I mean, this plan obviously was not crafted out of good library science but was driven more by a financial problem. 2599 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 So, because of the bumping rights issues, the higher paid librarians, who, you know, were essentially attacked under this plan in an effort to save money, overwhelmingly stay on the City payroll. Do they take a reduction in salary?
Okay. So after all of this mess, because this is what it is, what are the end result savings out of this?
Again, I think I stated earlier that the net savings were about $800,000.
...between the $1.5 million, if -- that were the collective number of staff reductions that the library took and the amount of money it cost to hire part-time and seasonal workers to run the afternoon branches.
The net savings 2600 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 is 1.5 out of all of that shake-up?
$800,000. Which, you know, magically kind of matches up almost perfectly with your fine money. But I know if you were in a meeting for about an hour, and there was that kind of conversation, no one would ever put those two items together because, you know, if they're not talked about in the same sentence, it's a little difficult. Now, you're going to have these alternative plans in about a week; is that correct?
You asked me when I could respond to the questions on the plans. And I said we could have that within a week.
Okay. And you may have answered this question before. Did the board have to approve or did you seek approval by the board 2601 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 of this plan?
Yeah. Well, you know, we -- what we did, because of the rapidly changing time line, we had initially talked to the whole board about it, that as things evolved there was no opportunity to call a whole board meeting. We spoke to the executive committee, members of the executive committee of the board, who are empowered by their bylaws to act on behalf of the board. And because it was such a rapidly moving target, as I testified earlier, we -- we spoke to the executive committee and -- and moved ahead with the project.
So the short answer is the full board did not approve this plan.
Well, it -- it depends on when. On January -- Yeah, later in January they did, but not as each -- You know, not by -- Not by the end of the first week, but by the end of the second week there was a board meeting, and they approved it. 2602 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
Was the board ever provided with alternative scenarios?
Okay. This is my last question. There was a newspaper story in the Inquirer on Friday, February 11th. And you apparently were interviewed. They have some quotes. I want to ask you about the quotes. You apparently had been at a meeting up at Lawncrest. And the story goes on to indicate that the library system employed 762 full-time workers in 2001, and all of its branch libraries were open Monday to Saturday. But it's state funding was cut in half and its City funding gets whittled yearly. Now, four years later, City Budget Office insists on 630 employees by the end of June or a cut of about 17 percent since 2001. In that time Shelkrot said he had been playing, quote unquote, a shell game, not lessening service as staffing shortages led to more than 700 hours of emergency 2603 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 closings from July to December 2004, nor did he ever say publicly how bad things were getting. Quote, we've been hiding it, he said bluntly. Do you recall that interview?
The quote that you have read is an unfortunate exaggeration that I made as a result of the frustration that I was feeling between what I know to be good library service and what the reality of the number of staff we had dictated.
Well, did you make reference to the term "a shell game"?
As I said, that was an unfortunate exaggeration because of the frustration --
On my part. Because of the frustration that I was feeling, knowing... you know, between what the schedule, the published schedule is and what 2604 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 the reality of our staffing enabled.
What did you mean by the statement that we've been hiding it?
You know, it's all part of that -- that frustration. I knew that it was, you know, the Friends of the Library who do such a great job were monitoring what was going on. I knew that they had reported it in their newsletter about the number of closings that were going on all over the City because they have been keeping track. You know, it was at that time. It wasn't a matter -- You know, it was a matter of trying to do the best we had.
Mr. Shelkrot, let me say this to you directly, and I'm not saying anything that you and I have not already discussed. When I read that -- And I've talked to a more than a few of my 2605 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 constituents. But equally important, as a member of this City Council, I think that those kinds of comments or that type of operational behavior does not meet the standards that Philadelphians deserve. Having said that, I think that it is more than appropriate a couple months later if not a couple years later, based on what's been going on, I think the citizens of the City do deserve an honest explanation of what goes on with their library system. And I think they also deserve from you, as a professional, an apology for what has taken place over this time. (Applause.)
So, you can make it; you can not make it. I think it is the least that can be done. This Council deserves that much, in terms of what we tried to do, what we have done, the amount of information that has not been shared from time to time. And we've gone through all of that. 2606 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 But I think that a disservice has been done here. I think this does not meet the standard, at least for us, of the oath that all of us take, and I assume that other high level people in the government take, when we talk about discharging our duties with fidelity. That was not the case here. You have unfortunately admitted, in the course of this hearing, that certain information was withheld, certain discussions were not referenced. The Council believed that it was taking appropriate action, touted that action, and all the while you apparently knew that the result that we were seeking was not going to come into fruition. This shell game of the closures and admitting that you've been hiding it, I think, is less than what the citizens of this City deserve. And just as a professional and one person to another, I do think under this circumstance, some acknowledgment of that and 2607 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 an apology to the citizens of this City is more than overdue, under the circumstances. People in this City love this system. They care about these libraries. They expect that when we do something, that it means something. And I think we all have those same standards ourselves, as we sit here and have the privilege of sitting in these particular seats. And I think that you have under the circumstance failed in that kind of test. And I would implore you, at a minimum, to lay out on the record your apology to the citizens of this City. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Shelkrot, I've been listening to 2608 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 the testimony of this hearing this morning, and it seems to me that your program of the reduction of hours and personnel is caused by a shortfall of about $800,000. Do you agree with that?
No. I believe we testified that the overall... I know the overall is...
I know the overall is 1.5 million. But what I would like to ask you -- and I'll be very brief with this -- if we found additional revenue from either the state or the City, and we restored... we restored at least 1.5 million, would you scrap this whole proposal of reductions in staff and reductions in hours in your district libraries? Would you scrap that program, put a program in there that's going to restore the hours as they have been in January, and the reduction -- the personnel -- you would keep the personnel that you currently have at their rates that they're receiving in January? 2609 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
We would look very carefully at it, to see allow far the million and a half dollars could be spread.
Well, what I'm saying is we would look -- You know, that scenario is not one that -- You know, I know that it will cost $1.1, $1.2 million to have a supervising librarian in every one of those branches. 13 That, in and of itself, will not 14 restore all the hours. That will put a 15 supervising librarian there. 16
Well, how much 17 would it take to restore the hours and 18 keeping the personnel levels as they were in 19 January and the salaries at the same level 20 they were in January?
At the same level in January, you know, we -- we can -- we can -- we can -- that can be done.
Well, I'm asking you how much additional would you need to 2610 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 scrap this entire program and go back to what we had in January?
I know there's 470 emergency closings that you had. And we can deal with that. But I just want to have an idea of how much additional revenue it's going to take to at least get us back to where we were in January of this year.
Well, sir, I don't know how else to say it. You know, we are faced with not only those closings, but an increasing attrition of staff. When we picked the date of January, that's different from other dates that have been picked. I would be pleased to go back and look very carefully at exactly how far we can go with a million and a half dollars. I'd be happy to do that for Council. But I can't just sit here and say that it would work.
Councilman 2611 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 and Mr. Shelkrot, I understand that a request had been made earlier this morning that the library will come up with a number of options.
And what the cost would be. And it was indicated that that would take you approximately a week to --
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
I just have one question. Some of the questions I had that I was going to ask have been answered. And I heard Councilman O'Neill talk to you about the state. What is your state strategy, for looking to the state for 2612 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 additional money? Because they cut $3.2 million. What is the strategy to try to recapture some of these dollars from the state?
Sure. I'll be happy to tell you our strategy. We have continued to encourage board members to visit and to write letters to the members of the legislature and to the Governor. With foundation money we have a lobbyist because we know that the City lobbyist has many different issues that he's working on. And I know the library is one of them, but there are many. So, we have engaged a lobbyist to help in that effort. They coordinate closely with the lobbyists for the Pennsylvania Library Association. There is a... It's a continuing effort to write letters, to talk to people in Harrisburg, to talk to the Governor or his staff to bring about an increase in the state aid to public libraries so that our share will be back to where it was before. 2613 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
At what point did you see the decline in the dollars from the state? When did that begin?
As I said earlier, that was -- that affected us in fiscal 2004. We first became aware of the proposed budget cut in... I forget whether the Governor's announcement on the budget is January, February. So that would have been... Getting my fiscal years, and... I believe that would have been January of or February of '03 when that announcement was made. And we were very active. The board was very active. The Friends were very active in trying to get that restored. But it was only inched up a little bit.
You're welcome. Councilman Nutter, it's my understanding that Peggy Van Belle is here. I would ask that she please approach the 2614 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 witness table. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Good afternoon. I'm Peggy Van Belle, Deputy Budget Director.
Thank you for coming over. We're trying to get to the bottom of a matter that started last year, apparently. During last year's budget process, City Council sought to restore $1 million of a proposed cut to the Free Library. We've received a couple different versions of what may or may not have happened. First we were told that there had been an error in last year's budget for the Free Library, that the Budget Office told the library quietly or secretly or asked them not to... allegedly asked them not to talk about it, that the error would be corrected through the targeted budget process. That's one. Second, the library now apparently has been told that the million dollars that Council restored they cannot have because 2615 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 they've been told by the Budget Office that on top of the present $800,000 that the library receives in fines, the library must raise an additional $1 million in order to receive the million dollars that Council appropriated last year. I am trying to understand those two issues, where the error was, and what happened last year. And then I want to talk about this year. Can you provide some clarity to the record, please?
We met with all departments, obviously. We met with the library when we were developing our proposed '05 budget. And the library was tasked with developing a plan to live with the million dollar reduction. In lieu of or as a substitution for 2616 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 that reduction, we proposed various scenarios to generate a million dollars in revenue, which would be used...
Hold on for a second. The conversation that you're discussing is apparently subsequent to the issue of what was the correctness or non-correctness of the budget that was submitted. We have been told that there was an error in the budget that was in front of us last year.
So the administration and the library agreed that in lieu of a million dollar expenditure reduction, we would substitute a revenue generating idea. We had proposed charging for DVD's and videotapes with fees sufficient to raise a million dollars in revenue. 2617 Operating Budget - 4/6/05