Marsha Grove, director of Champaign Public Library, warned patrons of reduced hours and further cuts to library services in an April email and the library’s May newsletter reiterated those concerns. But after Tuesday night’s Champaign City Council meeting, it is clear the community and the council do not intend to let fiscal concerns tarnish the library’s upstanding reputation.

The Council voted 8-1 to support $500,000 in library funding for the next year.

Grove and library board president Mark Ballard represented the library at Tuesday’s 7 p.m. meeting. Before the council could address the library’s budget issue, they addressed budget issues of the city police and fire departments. While it only took about a half an hour to decide on both the police and fire budget requests, the debate over library funding took more than an hour for several reasons.

“Even if we don’t make a decision on revenue tonight, the problem will not go away,” said City Manager Dorothy David.

Mayor Don Gerard, Grove and Ballard all agreed the library board would work closely with the council over the next year to bridge the gap between expenditures and revenue.

“Between structural changes and this debate over revenue, we need to find a way to meet in the middle,” Ballard said.

92% of the library’s funding comes from property taxes, and David recommended both the Council and library board look at alternative revenues “that can address, on a current basis, the gap in funds.”

Grove said the library has already made substantial cuts despite its growing readership and more than 3,000 patrons who visit Champaign Public Library’s main branch each day. The library has cut 14 staff positions, cut materials by 10 percent, reduced programming and completely eliminated the bookmobile, which took library service out to community members who could not travel as easily to the library.

“Most of these things weren’t seen by the public,” Grove said. “We’ve worked really hard to maintain the hours. Really, it’s been affecting the staff because they have been working harder.”

With the $500,000 approved by the council, the library can maintain its current hours and staffing.

David said she would like to see a plan within six months developed by both the library board and council members that will resolve the ongoing budget issue faced by the popular library.

“I’ve lived here for almost 20 years; the library is one of the most understated jewels of this community,” said Rajeev Malik, associate director at the University’s Office of International Programs and Studies. “My three kids live at the library. I give the library money, and I’ll give them more, now.”

Janelle can be reached at [email protected].