Politics & Government

$1M Cut From Gwinnett Library Budget

Gwinnett leaders think the libraries are necessary, but with a different approach.

After another million-dollar budget cut to the Gwinnett County library system, county leaders think it's time for that organization to change its approach.

"I would encourage the library to look at a new business model," Gwinnett District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard said Thursday (January 3) as the county's elected leaders passed the 2013 budget.

Find out what's happening in Norcrosswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Amid a still-tight revenue situation, commissioners cut $1 million in materials from the library's budget, the latest of several large reductions to that system.

Howard noted that the library branches "need to be a community center," but that current plans of coping with their situation are "not working," and she pledged to do "anything I can do" to help.

Find out what's happening in Norcrosswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

-- What do you think the Gwinnett library system's business model should be? Do you think a digital solution is the answer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said the elected leaders are still pro-library. "My daughter is a librarian," Nash said. "But what does the model of the library of the future need to be?

"We still have to look at a model for the future."

Nash noted that the $1 million reduction in materials in 2013 was "not arbitrary. ... It does not involve staffing or operational changes."

She added that Gwinnett leaders used Cobb County as a model for their own decision, and that Gwinnett still was spending more on materials than did Cobb.

Nash acknowledged that a digital solution might be the answer for the libraries. For example, the Gwinnett school system already is phasing in eCLASS, which emphasizes digital learning over traditional textbooks.

Also, the use of e-readers such as Kindle has drastically changed the business models of book retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.

Aside from reducing operating hours, the library system has tried such fund-raising methods as advertising and private donations. Still, the reductions have continued.

See also:

  • Gwinnett BOC Approves 2013 Budget


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here