Fifteen part-time employees of the Wood County District Library were laid off this weekend, following authorization by its Board of Trustees on Friday.
The library is facing a reduction in state support of at least 20 percent, said Library Director Michael Penrod.
The state distributes 1.7 percent of its of general revenue (including sales, personal income, and commercial activity taxes) to libraries. That revenue will decline because of the state’s stay at home order.
While the savings in salaries are $169,000, library is expected to realize about $126,750 in budget savings, because it must reimburse the state for the unemployment payments to the laid-off employees. This, however, is less than expected because of the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Penrod had told trustees in April that the library would have to cover half of the unemployment payments of any laid off employees.
Penrod said he was not certain what the final savings figure would be, characterizing it as “a best guess.”
The layoffs were made in accordance to the procedures outlined in state law, said Penrod.
“A lay-off is a separation from service,” he said. If the time comes that the library needs and can afford to hire more people, the positions will be advertised as in the past. “Former employees are always eligible to apply.”
