Westmoreland County library system might change funding formula

Westmoreland County library officials want to turn the page on how they distribute money to 19 member facilities in a move that could signal major service cuts for some and increased revenue for others.

The board of directors of the Westmoreland County Federated Library Network this year handed out more than $1.4 million in state and county funding.

William Scheeren, acting executive director of the library system, said on Wednesday that a proposal gaining traction would use 2010 census figures as part of a formula in how money is distributed in the future.

The library board uses 2000 census figures, along with local funding levels, to determine how state and county money is distributed.

“There will be some winners and some losers,” Scheeren said.

The total amount distributed is expected to remain unchanged.

Under the funding proposal, Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe would be the big loser, because its annual funding could be decreased by $35,000. The library this year received $179,000 in state and county funding.

Peoples Library in New Kensington stands to lose $31,000; the Ligonier Valley Library could possibly be down $23,000, and the Monessen Public Library could receive $14,000 less.

“We'll have to look for more local funding and consider cutting services,” said director Tracy Trotter of Adams Memorial Library. “It's something we don't want to do.”

Trotter said the library's bookmobile program could be on the endangered list if the proposed change in funding is enacted.

Population changes are part of the problem for Adams, which operated a branch in Unity until township supervisors withdrew $50,000 in local funding. The Unity branch closed after voters rejected a referendum in 2012 to fund the library.

Dave Zilka, director of the Monessen library, said he does not object to the funding switch.

“I don't have an issue with it,” Zilka said. “We'll move forward and maybe we'll have to increase local funding. I don't expect a cut in service.”

If the funding change is enacted, the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library and Norwin Public Library would be big winners, Scheeren said.

Greensburg's funding could rise by $20,000 next year. It received $170,000 in state and county funding this year. Norwin, which is the only library to collect funds through a local tax, would get an additional $10,000 under the proposal.

Scheeren, who serves as president of the federated library system board, said a final plan for funding has not been determined.

“Some libraries would like to see circulation taken into account. There is also an issue of local funding that is difficult to deal with. For some, the base just isn't there,” Scheeren said.

Officials will consider phasing in the cuts over a period of a few years, he said.

The library board's finance committee will meet later this month to finalize a plan that could be presented for board approval this summer.

Rich Cholodofsky is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-830-6293 or rcholodofsky@tribweb.com.