On July 24th, 2009, the California State Legislature approved a 2009/10 fiscal year budget designed to address a $26 billion shortfall. The budget included significant funding reductions of $584 million to the California State University. This FAQ explains how these reductions will affect the Oviatt Library’s resources and services.
- Has the Library’s budget been cut too?
- As with all other services and programs on campus, the Oviatt Library also has had a budget reduction. In the last four years out of five, the Library’s base budget has been reduced.
- What impact have the budget reductions had on the Library?
- For the last five years, the Library has made many behind-the- scenes cuts in order not to impact direct service to our students and faculty. Last year, however, we had to reduce our Saturday and Sunday morning hours because of the continuing cuts. We chose those hours as they were the times of the lightest use of the Library.
- Why is the Library closed for additional days this year?
- For 09/10, the Library’s faculty and staff are on furlough for twenty-four days. Fourteen of those twenty-four days are mandated. When the Library does not have professional staffing available, a closure is necessitated. For more information on Library hours, please go to: http://library.csun.edu/About_the_Library/ovhours.php
- How can you afford to have 24/7 access during finals if you have a budget cut?
- The student supported Campus Quality Fee provides separate funding for 24/7 access during finals. These extended hours were enormously popular with students last Spring semester. For more information on Campus Quality Fee projects in the Library, please go to: http://library.csun.edu/blogs/librarynews/2009/07/page/2/
- Will Library service be impacted?
- As much as possible, we will provide the help and assistance that our students and faculty have come to expect. However, some services may be slower because twenty-four furlough days translates into a reduction in work force capacity of about 10%.
- Will the Library’s collection be affected?
- The provision of knowledge resources is the foremost responsibility of the Library and our highest priority. However, the Library’s collection has already been affected. First, we have the same base budget for the collection that we have had for ten years. Second, the cost of buying new electronic journals, books, CDs etc. inflates at 8.65% each year meaning that our buying power has been reduced. Lastly, we have had to provide new resources for new programs without funding and this has impacted our ability to purchase resources for existing programs.
- Why are new equipment, technology and furniture arriving when we have a budget cut?
- The Library received funding for equipment, technology and furniture through the student-supported Campus Quality Fee. The funding awards, which were recommended by students, stipulate exactly how the funds may be used. All of the new items are there to benefit students through improved technology, improved resources or more comfortable study spaces. We appreciate the support of the students through the Campus Quality Fee. For more information on Campus Quality Fee projects in the Library, please go to: http://library.csun.edu/blogs/librarynews/2009/07/page/2/
- Why are you still having events such as a reception for exhibit openings? Doesn’t this cost money?
- Yes, but the Library receives private donations for receptions. The funds can only be used for the purposes designated by the donor.
For more information on budget cuts to the CSU and to CSUN, please go to: http://www.csun.edu/presofc/campusbudgetnews-FAQs.html