Feb 3, 2016 4 min read

Monongahela Area Library has been forced to adjust staffing hours because of budget cuts from Finleyville Borough and the city of Monongahela.

The library depends on community contributions to help with programs and daily operating costs. Finleyville cut its contribution of $3,000 and Monongahela cut its annual contribution from $20,000 to $15,000, library Director Tiffany Fleet said. No one was furloughed.

“We adjusted the staffing coverage from three to two staff members on duty. We are running at bare bones here,” she said. “With just the two staff members working at a time, it is difficult to take care of the desk, answer the phone, help with the computers, reference items and do everything else.”

More than half of the library’s annual $176,655 budget revenue comes from state, county and local government agencies. The remaining money comes from an annual fund drive, donations, fines and small fundraisers. Operating costs, repairs, insurance and salaries are paid from the revenue, meaning there is not much wiggle room in the budget.

Fleet said the loss of community funding is a big hit to the library, when every penny is needed. She said the Washington County Library System recommends 85 percent of libraries’ support comes from the communities, with the biggest contribution from the local school district. The library serves Finleyville, Union Township, Nottingham Township and part of Carroll Township, in addition to Monongahela, all of which are within the Ringgold School District.

“We haven’t gotten any financial support from the Ringgold School District,” Fleet said. The district last made a contribution in the amount of $11,000 in 2001.

Ringgold School District Superintendent Karen Polkabla said, “Approximately 15 years ago, the board stopped funding the public libraries in the district because of budget cuts. Each year at budget time, such requests are brought back to the board for consideration.”

She said that each school in the district has a library. The elementary libraries are used more frequently, because students are scheduled for classes there. The middle and high school libraries are used as needed.

“Technology plays an important role in the use of libraries. Students use Chromebooks and other devices to access the Internet for research, their textbooks, and for reading. As a result, the purpose and use of libraries is shifting,” Pokabla said. “I do believe that public libraries are important for students because the libraries are open during times that the schools are closed and as community members and the students can access the materials and technology within the public libraries when they are not available in the schools.”

With the school district libraries moving towards more technology and with hours limited to school hours, Monongahela Area Library offers valuable resources, including summer reading program, reference materials, genealogy, audio books, computer access, WiFi, and programs ranging for those ages 18 months to adult.

“It is more than a place to check out a book. We have craft classes, a writers’ group and a meeting place for the community,” Fleet said. “I’ve had people come in just to print one or two pages because they ran out of ink. We have microfilm from old newspapers that you can’t find on the Internet. A library is part of our history. We need the support to keep this history alive.”

“Each year the school expects us to have books for the summer reading list, yet they offer us no financial support.” Martha Ghilani, president of the Monongahela Library Board, said. She added that the library offers many valuable services to the students of the community.

Ghilani also added that the library board has several members that are looking to retire. “We need and want some new blood to help continue the fight to make this library a viable part of our community.”

Fleet said even with the contribution cuts, she is planning more programs, especially for teens. “There are many things we can offer at no cost.”

Anyone interested in becoming a library board member may call the library at 724-258-5409 or by email at monongahelalib@gmail.com