LAVALE — The fate of the county’s libraries, and budget problems that threaten their survival, will be discussed this week.
The Allegany County Library System’s Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the LaVale library, 815 National Highway.
The meeting will also be live-streamed via Zoom by emailing boardmeeting@alleganycountylibrary.info before 1 p.m. Monday.
The system’s branches are located in Frostburg, George’s Creek, LaVale, South Cumberland, Westernport and on Washington Street.
“Closing any library is the worst thing that could happen,” Lonaconing Mayor Jack Coburn said, adding that the library system will hold its last meeting of the current fiscal budget period at the LaVale branch from 4 to 8 p.m. June 10.
He urged county residents to voice support for the branches.
“It’s still very, very important that you attend these meetings,” Coburn said.
In January, the system’s Library Advisory Committee recommended George’s Creek, Westernport and Washington Street libraries for potential closure.
The library system’s board of trustees in March considered various scenarios to balance a budget that’s insufficient to cover all of its expenses.
“They’re all bad choices,” John Taube, the library system’s executive director, said at that time, adding that plans were underway to find the right balance for a financial plan.
Hours of operation a factor
Library advocates have united in recent months to fight for their respective branches to remain open despite the budget challenges.
Some folks point to a proposal to increase operating time at LaVale and reduce hours in other branches, and say the usefulness of libraries depends on ease of access for visitors.
One suggestion is that shorter hours in all libraries could compensate for more days of operation.
“It needs to be done fairly,” Coburn said of any adjustments of library hours.
For example, his branch in Lonaconing is home to a collection that pays tribute to baseball great Lefty Grove, who was born in the town in 1900.
“We have the … first (Most Valuable Player) trophy that was ever issued,” Coburn said.
But because the George’s Creek branch is closed weekends, many folks, especially those who work during the week, can’t visit the display, he said.
Coburn said the library’s board has been open to the public’s concerns.
“They’ve been very receptive to what we had to say,” he said.
The more people that are involved in the library system’s upcoming meetings, the better, Coburn said.
“I think that’s gonna have a large impact,” he said.