QUESTION
What is the rationale behind cutting Sunday library service and the restrictions on using endowments to cover operating expenses?
0:52:22
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63 sec
Linda Johnson explains that cutting Sunday service at Brooklyn Public Library was a financially driven decision to minimize impact during budget constraints. She states:
- Sunday is the most expensive day to operate libraries
- It is difficult to staff on Sundays due to reliance on volunteers
- Cutting Sunday service makes fiscal sense given limited resources
Regarding endowments, Johnson notes there are legal limitations on spending endowment funds for operating expenses at Brooklyn Public Library.
- The library has a small endowment
- Endowment funds are often restricted and intended to generate operating income
- Libraries cannot simply spend down endowment principal for major expenses
Justin Brannan
0:52:22
So last from me.
0:52:24
So tomorrow, we're gonna ask OMB about libraries, and they're gonna tell us that they didn't tell you to cut 7 day service.
0:52:32
They're gonna tell you you should just tap into your endowment.
0:52:37
What is our response to that?
Linda Johnson
0:52:40
In Brooklyn, And I think I speak for all of us when I talk about the decision to cut Sunday service.
0:52:47
Sunday is far and away our most expensive day to operate.
0:52:50
And so when you're in an environment where you're trying to minimize the impact of of a constrained library system.
0:52:59
It makes most sense to start on Sundays.
0:53:02
It's also the day that's hardest to get people to work because it's voluntary.
0:53:06
So it's not it's not random and it's not political, it's it's just what makes sense fiscally.
0:53:15
So that's the answer to the Sunday issue.
0:53:18
And with respect to the endowment, Brooklyn has a small endowment, and it's not legal actually
Justin Brannan
0:53:24
for us
Linda Johnson
0:53:24
to just spend.
