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The Patterson Branch Library will likely reduce the hours it is open in response to decreasing revenue, county employees announced last week.

The changes, proposed by Stanislaus County library staff, would mean the local library would be closed two more days, likely Thursdays and Fridays. The library is already closed Sundays.

Along with the schedule change, recommendations include cutting staff and tightening the materials budget by 33 percent.

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors is expected to rule on the cuts later this month. If the supervisors do nothing to make up the lack of funding, library employees estimate they will face close to a $3 million deficit.

“We knew there was something coming,” said librarian and Patterson branch manager Kelly Thompson.

The 13 other libraries in the county will see similar cuts if the plan goes forward.

Revenues are expected to decrease by $1.5 million, from $10.9 million last fiscal year to a projected $9.4 million, because of decreased sales tax collected in the county coupled with cuts by the state, county and local jurisdictions, according to Susan Lilly, a public information officer with the county library system.

The 1/8-percent sales tax that goes to county libraries makes up a vast majority of the local library’s budget. Revenue from that tax is estimated to be down from $9.1 million in the previous fiscal year to about $8 million.

“It’s huge,” Lilly said. “(The sales tax) makes up 85 percent of the budget.”

In the seven years Lilly has been with the library, she said, this is the first time it has seen sales tax revenues decrease. In years past, sales tax revenue consistently increased, though that increase has slowed.

“Each year, it was going up about 2 percent,” Lilly said. “But that’s when things were going good.”

The state, county and local jurisdictions have also contributed less to libraries, though the local and county cuts are much smaller than the state’s cut. State money going to Stanislaus libraries fell 66 percent, from $438,285 to $146,980.

Local jurisdictions are expected to provide $407,539, a decrease of $53,972. The county is expected to give $863,327, a decrease of only $303.

The reduced hours are just one of the cost-saving measures county staffers said they need to cover the shortfall — they also suggest eliminating 94 part-time positions. Patterson would lose its one part-time employee.

Lilly said those workers typically restock shelves, help patrons find materials and help with checkout.
Another possible cut would reduce the budget for new books and materials by 33 percent.

“When there’s a new release and someone puts it on hold, you’ll have to wait a little longer,” Lilly said.

All of the other libraries in the county will feel the same pinch as Patterson, and most will be closed two extra days per week, too. The Modesto branch will close just one day, Sunday.

Library staff suggests that neighboring libraries try not to close on the same day. The Patterson and Newman branches are both closed Sunday, but otherwise, one would always be open when the other is shut.

“It’s challenging,” Thompson said, “but it’s part of librarianship.”

To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it