New London library director gives Finance more details

By Robert Cloud

Ann Hunt, director of the New London Public Library, presented more detailed estimates for the library’s proposed 2022 operating budget at the Aug. 4 meeting of the Finance Committee.

Hunt’s budget estimates were based on the library making staff changes if the city builds the proposed annex.

The annex would have study rooms, computer spaces, a fabrication lab, an area dedicated to hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

Special rooms would allow for creating and editing video and music.

Plans also call for a large community meeting room capable of holding up to 100 people.

Providing space for teens is a primary focus of the annex.

Hunt said the library plans to hire three new part-time employees to work at the annex.

They will be paid $12.78 per hour and work a combined total of 57 hours per week.

Total wages for the library and annex are projected to rise from $66,582 to $115,760.

A full-time library employee plans to retire, which would result in significant savings.

The library’s budget for salaries would drop from $209,162 to $170,512.

City expenditures for fringe benefits would also drop from $105,857 to $76,039.

New London’s library will no longer be open on Sundays during the school year.

Hunt estimated that will cut $6,392 from the library’s overtime costs.

Wages for building and grounds maintenance will probably increase from $31,025 to $41,025.

Hunt said heating could increase by $3,000, while electric, water and sewer could increase by $12,000.

The library’s total operating budget was $542,402 in 2021.

Including both increases and savings, the estimated operating costs for the library and the annex in 2022 would be $551,093, an increase of less than $10,000.