Budget woes have led to the change in the hours of operation for the Laurel-Jones County Library System.

Mary Louise Breland, director, said the change comes as a result of a $40,000 reduction in funds from the City of Laurel and a $10,488 reduction in funds from the state-sponsored personnel incentive grant program.

“The personnel incentive grant is money from the state that helps us with salaries,” said Breland. “Now everything in the state is being reduced and we are not getting as much as we once did.”

Breland noted that on last year, the library system also received a reduction in the amount of money received through the personnel incentive grant program. However, the City of Laurel did not cut the library’s budget last year and the loss of $6,438 in grant money didn’t have such a drastic impact.

“We are not casting blame on our local elected officials by any means,” added Breland. “They are doing the best they can.

“I just want them to understand and recognize that the library is a vital part of our community. Jones County residents do job searches, prepare resumes, and take various tests right here at the library.”

According to Breland, many Jones County residents can’t afford to purchase personal computers for their homes. The library is their source for computers which are used for homework, as well as job searches.

“In some cases, companies are only accepting on-line applications,” said Breland. “We want our elected officials to realize that out people are struggling in Jones County and need all the help they can get.

“The library is an important part of their lives.”

On Monday the Laurel-Jones County Library started it’s new schedule of being open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It’s open Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Also, “Totally Tots,” an activity for young children, is at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The Ellisville Public Library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed Tuesday and Sunday. “Toddler Time” is at 11 a.m. Monday and the afterschool program is at 4 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s important for people to note that they will be able to visit the library six days a week,” said Breland. “Once they purchase a library card, they can use it at either library in the Laurel-Jones County Library System.

“The card in Laurel is good to use in Ellisville and vice versa.”

Breland is pleased that despite the cuts, she has not had to lay off any employees. There is a staff reduction, however, but it comes from people who have retired, found other employment or moved.

Yet, Breland does not know what the future holds for her or her staff. She said she received a letter from the Mississippi Library Commission that additional cuts may be made.

“The budgets cuts are affecting all of our libraries,” said Sharman Smith, executive director of the Mississippi Library Commission. “We have a number of libraries to cut hours and not fill vacancies.”

Smith said the commission’s budget has already been cut twice, resulting in a $1.15 million cut out of its $15 million budget for Fiscal Year 2010.

Smith noted that the two budget cuts has cause the Laurel-Jones County Library System to lose about $18,000 in personnel incentive grant funds this Fiscal Year.

“Laurel-Jones County has some decisions to make,” said Smith. “To lose that kind of money from the state, as well as money for the local government, they are coping with significant losses.”

Smith said the library is operating with a budget that’s little more than $700,000.

“When you lose 10 percent of your revenue, you face hardships,” added Smith. “The community has to support the library with their finances.

“It’s kind of like people take the services for granted,” continued Smith. “It costs money to operate a library.

“You have to pay the staff, maintain the building and do a lot of other things people seem to forget about. The library needs the support of the people.”

Breland said the Laurel-Jones County Library System has made brochures that will be available for distribution today. The brochures encourages library users to contact their local, state and federal officials and let them know how important the library is to them and their community.

“I don’t know what to say about it all,” said Breland. “If we get another budget cut, we may have to reduce hours even more and perhaps cut the hours of the staff. I don’t want any employee to lose a job.”