Bee Editorial
Outside funding sources may be libraries' answer
The problem of finding funding for Erie County libraries is not going away anytime soon.

Amherst has been fortunate to not see the closure of any of its four libraries - unlike neighboring Cheektowaga, which lost two of its four libraries last year. The Town of Amherst and Village of Williamsville took it upon themselves to maintain the Williamsville branch after the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library system ceased all funding for the facility.

But the Town Board has said it is also through funding the branch. At the close of 2007, the town will no longer grant full funding.

Newly named director Roseanne Butler Smith will have many challenges to face. While the need for additional programming, books and materials increases, the money available seems to be less and less with each budget year.

If closing any of the four libraries is not an option, then outside funding is the only option left. Butler-Smith has a tough decision to make before it is made for her.

Finding funding sources is a difficult task that many organizations rely on to continue their existence.

Without the help of the Amherst Town Board is the Williamsville library ready for 2008? Residents are called upon in times of crisis and usually answer with authority, but that can't be the procedure every time the funds run low.

Minimal funding is provided by the county due in part to a $7 million budget cut in 2005. Leaders were left with very few resources to give to towns.

Some good news came during the 2007 county budget process as $500,000 was made available in additional support to the system. With its portion of funding, the Eggertsville Snyder Branch was able to restore an additional four hours, as well as to purchase materials.

Butler-Smith has a lot of experience that she will definitely be using during the upcoming year of budgeting and decision making.

While Amherst's libraries remain among the top in circulation, those free books being checked out don't support the money needed to keep the library up and running.

Throughout Erie County several libraries closed their doors for the final time, devastating residents and generations who spent hours inside the building. If Amherst hopes to avoid that fate, then an alternative funding plan needs to be implemented.

It's hard to believe, as residents pay their 2007 taxes, that the 2008 budget is already being talked about, but that is the reality.