As a result of Governor Gilmore's recent announcement for state budget reductions, Williamsburg Regional Library director John Moorman announced today several cost-saving measures. Chief among them is a restriction on filling five current vacant staff positions. He also announced that if the State budget restrictions continue, the library may be forced to reevaluate its public service hours in order to provide quality public service to its patrons.

The Williamsburg Regional Library, like all other public libraries throughout the Commonwealth, receives a percentage of its annual budget from the state. This state aid money flows through the Library of Virginia. In the case of Williamsburg Regional Library this amounts to approximately 11% of its total budget, or $527,000 per year. Under current guidance from the office of Governor Gilmore, the Library of Virginia has told Virginia libraries they should hold off on spending any of their state aid for the fourth quarter, which ends June 30, 2001. In the case of the Williamsburg Regional Library, this may mean a reduction of up to $131,000.

In order to anticipate the implementation of such budget restrictions, Moorman has said the Williamsburg Regional Library will not fill five full-time vacancies and one part-time position in the library staff. This represents approximately 5% of the overall library staff. Among those positions that will remain vacant are
three adult services and one youth services librarians who directly serve the public's reference needs.

Should the current state budget impasse continue, Moorman said the Williamsburg Regional Library would examine its ability to provide quality service under the current operating hours. Such restrictions in service, if needed, could come as soon as April.

The Williamsburg Regional Library system (WRL) consists of the Williamsburg Library, the James City County Library and the Bookmobile. The WRL service area includes 65,000 people in the City of Williamsburg, James City County and portions of York County.