By Dave Clark (contact)

Wed, Dec 3, 2008 (midnight)

At the same time the economic downturn is fueling a surge in use of the Henderson Libraries, the library district is grappling with stagnant budgets and a staff roughly the same size as three years ago.

Last fiscal year saw an $850,000 drop in revenue, said Executive Director Tom Fay, who implemented tight budgets in response to the conditions.

"We were extremely conservative last year," he said. "We hope to be just in a balance position by the end of the year."

This year, the district's consolidated tax revenues are down 2 percent from budget projections, while property tax revenues are slightly higher than anticipated.

To cut costs, the district froze some positions, and all vacancies are now held for at least 45 days before being filled.

"That could stretch if things get worse," Fay said.

The district also closed branches on Sunday, while curtailing supply, training and travel expenses.

"For sure in my 25 years here, it's the toughest I've seen it," Fay said.

And officials are bracing for the next fiscal year to be even worse, Fay said. If things deteriorate further, he said the district might contemplate cutting its materials and personnel budget. Fay was unsure whether employees next year would receive another 2 percent cost-of-living increase — what they received this year after merit pay raises were eliminated.

"We're tightening where we can and bringing services where possible," Fay said.

Nevertheless the district is still moving forward with its expansion plans, Fay said, thanks in part to a $150,000 bequest received this year. Some of those funds are slated for the library in the Heritage Park Senior Center, which is set to open in late summer, and others will go toward the Sunset at Galleria branch, scheduled for a February opening.

Without the bequest it likely "would've been considerably more difficult," Fay said. "For sure the Heritage would've been a lot tougher."

The transfer of the Green Valley Library from the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District to the Henderson Library District is also moving forward.

The only project that has been pushed back is the move of the Gibson Library to a new location at Water Street and Lake Mead Parkway.

While the library is experiencing financial difficulties, its popularity continues to grow, Fay said, with people drawn to its free services, including access to the Internet.

"It's something that people feel good about," he said. "It's still sort of mom and apple pie. They can go there and feel comfortable."

The library is continuing to have double-digit growth in circulation and computer usage each year, he said.

"Sometimes it's just a place to be when you can't afford to be anywhere else," Fay said. "You can spend Friday afternoon, Friday evening in here and have a pleasant time."

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or dave.clark@hbcpub.com.