If an agreement is not reached between the city and the union representing library employees, the Santa Cruz city council is prepared to close all but one of the city’s libraries for two to three months to save $667,102—about 16 percent of the city’s current deficit. The employees are members of the SEIU. Library officials are hopeful that the staff will continue with the cuts agreed to last year, including a one-day furlough per week and the postponement of a 5 percent wage increase. Libraries are allotted $11 million in this year’s budget, down from $12.6 million in 2008. Talks between the city and the SEIU are expected to resume on Thursday. Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel.
City Mulls Closing Libraries for Months
