Belt tightening

The Chico City Council voted 4-3 to reduce general fund support for the Chico branch of the Butte County Library during its meeting on Tuesday (June 17).

Last year, the Chico library received $100,000 from the city, but the council reduced that amount to $75,000, diverting the remainder to the North Valley Community Foundation for disbursement among 10 community organizations. Leading up to the decision, Councilwomen Tami Ritter and Mary Goloff questioned why, in light of the sweeping budget cuts that have affected all city departments and employees, the city continues to provide funding for the county-run library.

Diane Friedman, who was named president of Chico Friends of the Library just last month, explained that the funding is used to keep the library open on mornings and evenings, which amounted to about 900 extra hours last year. Library hours likely will be reduced as a result of the funding cut.