Frederick cuts $1M from libraries

Frederick County public libraries have become the latest victims of a sour economy, the Frederick News-Post reports.

In an attempt to balance a $435 million operating budget and eliminate a $35 million deficit, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners ordered departments and agencies to cut their spending for fiscal 2011, which starts July 1.

Library officials were forced to cut approximately $1 million in positions, programs, materials and services. The cuts include cutting back on buying new books, DVDs and CDs, reducing bookmobile routes, eliminating 10 positions and cutting all adult programs.

"In reality, this is just the first cuts of many that could come," said Darrell Batson, director of the Frederick County public library system. "This is honestly just the start. We're going to start reducing hours. This is not the end."