FAQ - The Impacts of Budget Cuts on the UCSD Libraries

Overall Impacts of Budget Cuts

Q. How are the UCSD Libraries being impacted by budget cuts?

A. In fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10, the Libraries have absorbed cuts of nearly $4 million (or approximately 15% of our operations and collections budget). In addition to these cuts, the Libraries are being assessed approximately $1 million for employee furloughs.

Given that the Libraries depend on state funding for nearly 85% of their budget, these funding reductions have given us no option but to rethink the resources and services the Libraries deliver to the campus community and other patrons.

Q. How have the Libraries absorbed these cuts so far?

A. The budget cutting measures we have implemented to date include: shortening library hours; consolidating service points; slowing down digitization efforts; decreasing instruction and classroom support; and reducing our spending for informational and scholarly resources.

In addition, the Libraries have implemented across-the-board cuts in supplies and equipment, postponed recruitments for more than 25 positions, and dramatically cut budgets for facilities maintenance and renovation.

Hours

Q. Why did you choose to cut the hours in the Geisel Library Building and not at some of the other libraries?

A. Prior to making the decision to reduce hours in any of the library facilities, we conducted a thorough review of traffic and usage levels at all the libraries, relative to the associated costs and staffing requirements. That review demonstrated that our use levels are lowest on the weekends and late at night. Consequently, it is during those periods—in Biomed, CLICS, Geisel, the Medical Center Library, and SIO—that we have carried out our initial reductions. Our goal, of course, is to minimize to the extent possible the impact on the campus community.

Q. Will the hours be cut further if there are additional budget cuts?

A. Given the severity of the current budget cuts, we anticipate that additional cuts to hours of service in the campus libraries are unavoidable.

Q. Are the Libraries considering closing any of the Libraries?

A. While we are not currently planning on closing any of the Libraries, it is an option that we may have to consider in the near future, given the current and anticipated cuts to the Libraries’ funding. If we are forced to close one of the library facilities, we would solicit feedback from patrons and users in advance, to determine a course of action that would have the least amount of impact.

Collections & Services

Q. How are the budget cuts impacting collections? What changes should faculty and students expect to see?

A. The UCSD Libraries have been forced to make an almost 13 % cut to our state-funded collections budget in 2009-10. As a result, we are implementing a wide range of cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of journal subscriptions duplicated at other UC campuses, a reduction in print subscriptions, and a decrease in the purchasing of new journals. While UCSD faculty and students will have access to fewer intellectual resources (both at their desktops and at the Libraries) as a result of these cuts, we are doing all we can to preserve the intellectual resources and services needed to maintain the highest standards of research and teaching.

Q. How will Libraries’ users be impacted by cuts in service? Will I get the help I need to complete my research or find a resource?

A. Cuts in library funding will inevitably lead to some reductions in service and staffing. While faculty, students, and other patrons will find the same quality of service, they are also likely to experience longer waiting periods and service lines as a result of reduced hours and staffing changes. In addition, cuts to the Libraries’ instruction and classroom support will impact some members of the campus community.

Q. How will the furloughs impact staffing levels at the Libraries?

A. Campus furloughs will lead to reduced staffing, which is likely to have some impact on services to patrons. We are developing a plan for managing furloughs that will help us maintain minimum staffing levels and preserve essential services to our patrons.

Q. Do you anticipate that there will be layoffs at any of the Libraries?

A. A top priority of the Libraries is to avoid staff layoffs. We have no current plans to lay off staff and will do all that we possibly can to avoid such measures.