Saugus Library employees worry over funding cut

SAUGUS – About a dozen kids lined up along the brick wall on the side of the Saugus Public Library Wednesday afternoon, all armed with water balloons wrapped in paper and other fabrics.On the count of three, they all threw their balloons in the air to test out their homemade “skulls.”?We?re demonstrating the function of the skull,” said Bethany Templeton Klem, head of the Children?s Department at the library. “We start with something rather fragile, like a water balloon or a brain, and then build up a structure around it to provide protection in the case of falls and hits. We?re trying to see what materials work best. Some worked really well. I?m impressed.”The dozen kids, ranging from ages 6 to 12, were all participating in the library?s monthly Science Wednesday program, which is just one of many activities Templeton Klem and Library Director Diane Wallace said could be cut if the library?s budget is reduced.According to the 2013 budget, the library?s budget will be cut from $500,000 to $370,000 and possibly down to $270,000 if Town Meeting passes the police and fire arbitration award.?It?s not the most expensive program, but it?s still all supported by town funding,” said Templeton Klem. “Performers would be another big area where we would get hit. We try to get grants whenever we can, but the grants never cover the full costs or rarely do. There?s only so much grant money to around.”Wallace said the reduction will amount to the library losing its certification, which would mean library members won?t be able to use services from other area libraries.?It was very difficult for Saugus school children to get what they need for class,” said Wallace. “We were banned from other libraries in the area. It?s kind of embarrassing. They can?t even go get a book when it?s part of their routine.”Wallace said the minimum budget needed to keep certification is $425,000.?We?re looking at $370,000,” said Wallace. “That would reduce our hours. We?d be in a lower range for state aid. For full compliance we have to be open 59 hours over six days including some evenings. With this budget there?s no money for programming at all. Nothing. We?ll have the bare minimum for office supplies.”Carly Miller, who was adamant that she was “6-and-a-half” and not 6, said the Science Wednesday program is great because “you get to work with body parts” and said she would be upset if the program ended.?I really like doing crafts,” said Miller. “(I would be upset) because it?s fun and it?s crafts.”Martin and Karen Rivera were at the library Wednesday watching their 9-year-old son Gabriel and 7-year-old daughter Elisha throw their water balloons, and said they come to the library every month to participate in Science Wednesday.?Because of the library, and in conjunction with the schools, our children are reading above grade level, choose to read instead of playing video games or watching television and have a love for experimenting before Bethany started all these great programs,” said Karen Rivera.Martin Rivera said cutting the libraries budget is “just not right.”?After everything we went through when the library was decertified the first time ? now it?s finally certified and they?re talking about decertifying it again,” he said.With the proposed budget Wallace said she may be able to keep the library open for five days at 47 hours a week. The minimum for compliance is 47 hours, said Wallace.?I?m putting together schedules that would randomly close it Monday, or maybe we?d be closed Friday. We?ll look at what the best day is to close,” said Wallace.She also said the library will likely lose four-and-a-half part-time staffers out of a staff of 14, of which just four work there full-time.With Town Meeting set to vote on the budget on Monday at 7:30 p.m., Wallace said supporters of the library are trying to urge people to show up for the meeting.?People are mainly approaching us,” said Wallace. “We put together a brochure for Town Meeting, but other people are usi