As pointed out to the mayor in his presser about closing the libraries he was asked why they are not looking at cutting staff. He said he wasn’t going to eliminate staff because we have some of the fewest city employees of a city our size per capita. Why is that? Technology, it takes fewer people to perform the tasks, duh.
But what is confusing to me is where are the cost savings by simply locking the doors for a few hours? Is the library staff going to get their weekly hours cut to 30 hours a week? Doubtful. So where are the savings. So we are going to pay staff for 40 hours a week with closed doors for 10 hours of that time? Where is the sense in this? You are NOT saving on utilities or programming, so I struggle with the cost savings. I would understand if you cut all library staff back to 30 hours a week you would have significant savings, but that is not happening here. We are essentially paying staff for a 40 hour work week when they are really only working 30 hours a week.
I want to clarify, I don’t want that to happen, so what’s the solution? Leave the hours as is, or cut staff.
I still believe the biggest cost savings to taxpayers is to terminate most middle management, demote them or promote them. Labor is a massive part of the city budget (it is approximately 25% of the yearly budget) Even if you cut 10% of the employees you would have a cost savings of $25 Million!
This isn’t rocket science. Companies across SF face these decisions daily, and somehow manage.
Unlike many other services the city provides, extended hours, especially in Sioux Falls for the library actually help many lower income people and transients transitioning into housing get a job or access other services. Not sure if Poops has looked out his city hall window lately (when he isn’t doing interviews in NYC or doing jumping jacks) and noticed the live action version of the Walking Dead going on DTSF. You want to fight homelessness? Find these folks housing and a job, hard to do when you cut off resources.
Libraries are the one place where the city temporarily allows homeless in from the weather. Even cruel city government has not fenced around libraries. They’re also internet access for the poor where they can seek to improve themselves. Staff is important for assistance. It’s not just books, it’s public service. Maintaining staff and hours shows that the city indirectly cares for less fortunate citizens.