Library funding in danger

The Alleghany County Library and its parent organization, the Northwestern Regional Library in Elkin, are facing state budget cuts that could lead to funding shortages.

The Northwestern Regional Library (NWRL) operates 13 libraries in four counties, including Alleghany, Surry, Stokes and Yadkin.

According to information provided by the local library staff, the State Library was considering withholding about $70,873 in May and June aid payments. "Since they have already withheld 7 percent of the budget, which amounted to $36,552, this means that the region will be shorted $107,425 from state aid," a release from the library said.

The library's reserve fund was depleted by the 7 percent cut earlier, meaning that the additional cuts now give the region no operating expense funds for the final two months of the budget year.

However, NWRL Director Mike Sawyer said the picture isn't as bad as it seemed earlier, but his organization is still facing funding woes that will affect library services into the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

"I heard unofficially that we will probably see May's payments of state aid," Sawyer said. "Had we not gotten either payment, we would have been facing a very severe crisis."

Later during the interview Tuesday, Sawyer said he just received official notification by email that the May payment would be made, but that the June payment of $35,436 definitely will be withheld.

Sawyer said the cuts came 'out of the blue' at the very end of the year.

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