Volunteer hours to Henderson Libraries in past year: 42,145

By Erin Dostal

Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 | 1:22 p.m.

Volunteers gave 42,145 hours to Henderson Libraries during the past fiscal year, helping the economically strapped library district deal with budget shortfalls.

Executive Director of Henderson Libraries Tom Fay said volunteers have always been an integral part of the libraries’ functions, but “now, it’s especially critical.”

“We couldn’t do the things we do without our volunteers,” Fay said.

Fay said volunteers, such as Nevada State College students who donated 592 hours last year, usually approach the libraries offering assistance. The Friends of the Henderson Libraries represented the largest contribution, giving 31,338 hours of their time during the 2010 fiscal year.

The number of hours donated was equal to about 20 staffers being paid $12 per hour, officials said. Henderson Libraries, as well as all public departments in Henderson, are under a hiring freeze, prohibiting the district from increasing employee numbers.

The total number of hours represents about $498,216, or about one-fifth of the cost of the new Gibson Library, which opened July 7 at 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway.

Henderson Libraries’ operating budget for the 2011 fiscal year is $7.3 million, about $1 million lower than last year.