Henderson Libraries announces more reductions to meet budget needs

Henderson Libraries is planning to close its six branches on Mondays to contend with budget shortfalls.

Tom Fay, the executive director of Henderson Libraries, said the district looked at its options before it decided to close an additional day.

"This isn't something we wanted," Fay said. "This is a necessity."

The Galleria Library, inside the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 W. Sunset Road, and the Malcolm Library, 2960 Sunridge Heights Parkway, are expected to close Mondays starting Sept. 10, while the remaining branches are scheduled to close Oct. 1.

Henderson Libraries estimates that it has lost more than $2.5 million the past few years.

Fay said the library district is funded mainly through property taxes, which are based on a property's assessed value. The district receives 5.75 cents per $100 in assessed property value.

Because property values have declined in Henderson, Fay said the revenue that supports the library district also has decreased.

Closing on Mondays is the latest attempt to stabilize the district's budget. The library board voted on the closure in August.

The district has proposed a 2-cent tax rate increase, which would be its first since 1991. The issue will be on November's ballot.

Henderson's tax rate is less than other Clark County library districts, such as North Las Vegas, which receives 6.32 cents, and Las Vegas-Clark County, which receives 9.42 cents.

MJ Maynard, chairwoman of the Henderson Libraries Board of Trustees, said a 2-cent tax increase on a house that is $100,000 would be about an additional $7 per year.

"I think I spend that on a Starbucks in a week," Maynard said.

Henderson Libraries receives an average of $24.38 per person in revenue. The national average is $32.83, and the state average is $29.28.

Even if the tax initiative passes, the reduction of hours is expected to help the district get by until the increase takes effect in July 2013, the beginning of the fiscal year.

Fay said the Monday closures are expected to save $50,000 to $75,000 a year.

Fay said to meet the needs of patrons, library branches are expected to add an hour on Fridays and Saturdays, closing at 6 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

The Monday closure isn't the first change the district has faced.

Henderson Libraries closed Sundays in 2008 and reduced library hours in 2010.

"So about every two years, this has happened," Fay said.

Fay said the district eventually hopes to reopen on Mondays.

"We would hope to look at everything to see what we can do to move forward," Fay said.

Other reductions have included staff, which at its peak was at 134 employees and now is at 98 people.

"It's a about a 30 percent staff reduction," Fay said.

Henderson Libraries will dip into its reserves regardless of the outcome. Fay said if the increase is passed, the district is expected to spend about $300,000 of its reserves. If it loses, the district will spend about $100,000 from its reserves. The library district would spend more from its reserves if the tax rate increase passes as a result of the two libraries, Galleria and Malcolm, staying open. If it doesn't pass, those libraries would be shut down and staff laid off, meaning less money taken from reserves.

Citizens for Henderson Libraries, a political action committee, launched a campaign to inform residents about the issue - Question 1 on the ballot.

"When this is voted in, every dollar stays home in our district," said Valerie La Porta-Haynes, president of the committee. "Every dollar goes directly to our libraries and nowhere else. That's the word that needs to get out."

Without the tax increase, Fay said, the Galleria and Malcolm libraries will close.

"The staff has already been notified that if we don't win, they will be laid off at the first of the year," Fay said.

The library at the Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 S. Racetrack Road, also might close.

The political action committee is getting the word out about the tax rate increase. La Porta-Haynes said it has been using social media, hanging up posters and putting yard signs up to let people know about the ballot initiative. Volunteers have been seen standing outside library branches passing out fliers, as well.

Fay has gone to speak to community groups.

"I don't tell them what to vote for," Fay said. "I give them the information and let them decide."

In addition to items in the district's collection, La Porta-Haynes said Henderson Libraries offers the community needed services.

"A significant amount of people cannot afford a computer or Internet connection," La Porta-Haynes said. "They are using it to search for jobs, do their homework or simply letting a loved one know they are just fine through a quick email."

Maynard added that job searching isn't how it used to be.

"You used to go in person," Maynard said. "Now everything is online. I went into one of the libraries and you couldn't find an empty computer."

In 2011, 1,812,475 items were checked out, and about 41,000 people attended free programs offered at a library branch, according to Henderson Libraries.

The revenue loss has left a gap in the budget used to purchase items such as books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs and e-books.

If the tax increase fails, fewer materials can be purchased and hours are expected to be further reduced in addition to the branch closures.

"This could cause longer wait times for books," Maynard said.

According to Henderson Libraries, 143,926 people have a Henderson library card.

"This will impact the people who need the library services the most," Maynard said.

For more information, visit rescuemylibrary.org.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.