The proposed Butte County Budget that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in May will not only decimate the Butte County Library System but from a practical standpoint completely shut-down our libraries during the next and perhaps future fiscal years.

The proposed budget reduces the libraries staff by approximately 2/3rds (from 39 to 13) and cuts the libraries budget by 1½ million (an approximate reduction of 50%).

If the libraries are to stay open, the funds available will only provide two 6 hour days for Chico, Paradise and Oroville and one 6 hour day for the smaller ones.

This is inconceivable and even irresponsible.

Several years ago, the Library Advisory Board and the Friends of the Libraries, recognizing the County’s fiscal difficulties, requested the Board of Supervisors to approve a ballot measure that would provide the County Libraries with a 1/8th of a cent sales tax; that would require a 2/3rd approval by the voters. This request was denied by a 3 to 2 vote of the Board of Supervisors. I hope the Board will again reconsider this request and place a ballot measure on the next available election date.