KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SUBMITTED) -- Knox County Public Library will reduce operating hours by 20% at all library locations starting Monday, December 8 in an effort to tighten spending. No staff will be laid off, and no branches will be closed.

This measure is prompted by a recent announcement from the State of
Tennessee calling for the elimination of aid to urban libraries, which
amounts to $91,000 for Knox County. Additionally, the Mayor’s office has
requested plans from each department for reduced spending. Other pressures on the Library budget include an expected reduction of publisher discounts for books.

Budget reductions will be realized by continuing the current hiring freeze
on staff vacancies. The Library now has 10 vacant positions in this
year, and a total of 26 lost positions since 2003. In order to maintain
service, staff will be rotated among facilities.

Despite this reduction, KCPL maintains considerably more public
hours per week than the average library system serving a comparable
population. According to Public Library Data Service's Statistical Report
for 2008, libraries serving populations between 250,000 to 499,000 are open
an average of 558 hours each week. Under the new schedule for KCPL, the
system will be open 708 hours each week, which is 27% more than the average.

The Administration remains committed to keeping all branch libraries
operational. Traditionally, library use increases in an economic downturn.
Knox County Public Library collection includes over one million books,
movies, music, and audiobooks for loan. Most weekly programs such as
children’s storytimes will continue, though a few may be rescheduled.

“We are pleased to have a plan that allows us to keep all of our library
facilities open. As a community, we are particularly fortunate to have the
vast resources of the Library available at this time of belt tightening,”
noted Mayor Mike Ragsdale. “Education and literacy remain an important
priority for our community. Using our library is a wonderful and simple way
for families to save money.”

The new schedule is listed on the library website, www.knoxlib.org.

For more information, please call (865) 215-8767.

(This information was submitted by the Knoxville Library.)