Mary Milz/Eyewitness News
Marion County - The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library system has taken another hit. Thursday, the library announced it had laid off 37 employees.
The layoffs are the latest in measures aimed at closing a $4 million shortfall caused by declining property tax dollars. Last month, the library system slashed its hours, closing most branches an extra day each week.
See the new hours here.
In a written statement Library CEO, Laura Bramble said, "I want to express how difficult this decision has been during a time of tremendous financial stress facing the library...though this necessary action is truly regrettable, it is our hope that long-term financial solutions can be found to reduce the likelihood of similar future reductions and to insure the viability of the library in years to come."
"We all knew this was coming, but honestly, I think they could have handled this better," said Michael Torres, AFSCME Local 3395.
AFSCME represents roughly 315 of the library's 793 employees.
Torres said employees were told of the job cuts Friday. Nine were managers or supervisors and 28 public service staff. Torres said most averaged $9-$18 an hour.
"If the idea is to save as much money as you can, it's hoped management would have been looked at a little closer," he said.
Library documents show that 32 of the 37 laid-off employees had offered to take a three-month severance. But five were blind-sided, including Wendall Barrett.
"I was pretty shocked, really. I didn't know what to think," Barrett said.
A 12-year library employee, Barrett spent most of his career at the Library Service Center, sorting and delivering books. While the library statement said the job cuts were "based on procedures established in the library policy relating to performance, seniority and institutional need," Barrett said he's still not sure why he lost his job.
"I thought they could have explained better as to why I was chosen other than saying it was down-sizing," he said.
Torres said he and other employees were still wondering about the reorganization - who'd be shifted where to help fill the gaps. He said he wished library officials would be "more clear and forthcoming."
But answers weren't about to come Thursday. The media release said Bramble and Board President Tom Shevlot "will be declining further comment."
When asked why, a spokesman said, "Everything's in the release."
But with property tax caps now permanent, it's clear balancing the books each year will only get harder with many more questions to follow.
