ORANGE COUNTY IN BANKRUPTCY : O.C. Public Libraries Say New Cuts Would Decimate the System : Services: Officials warn of further reductions in hours, increase in fees and maybe closure of branches. More private funds sought.

Orange County’s public libraries, already battered by sharp funding cuts two years ago, are the likely target of more budget reductions in the wake of the county’s bankruptcy, a blow that could force officials to close branches and increase fees and fines.

County Librarian John Adams said Tuesday he expects to trim his budget by about 24%, from $23.7 million for the current fiscal year to $18 million for fiscal 1995-96. In 1992-93 the system’s budget was $27.1 million.

“It has been an extraordinarily difficult period. It has been a great challenge to maintain services while undergoing these reductions,” Adams said. “The bankruptcy is the frosting on the cake.”

In an effort to soften the impact, the 28-branch county system may create an independent foundation to raise money for the libraries. Anaheim’s four-branch library network, which is independent of the county system, also may form its own fund-raising arm.

“This is the worst I’ve seen in a long time,” said William Griffith, who has served as director of Anaheim’s libraries since 1957. “I’m worried. Libraries are too valuable to let go, (but) I’m afraid we’re going to get cut. I hate to see it.”

In 1993, the Orange County Public Library system suffered a serious budget cut when the state reduced its share of property tax revenue. The funding reduction forced officials to cut back the number of days that libraries are open, from six days a week to the equivalent of four, and reduce the system’s annual budget for new book purchases from $6 million to $3.5 million.

“It’s been hard getting used to these new hours,” said Jin Lee, an Irvine computer technical consultant who scans magazines at the Heritage Park library in Irvine at least once a week. “I come here at noon and it’s closed. I can’t believe they’d cut back even more. The libraries need more money, not less.”

Until now, the cuts have been softened by a $2-million annual county subsidy to the system. Because of the county’s financial crisis, which forced it to declare bankruptcy Dec. 6, Adams said it is doubtful the libraries will continue to receive the extra county money.

Library officials are now examining where to make a new round of cuts. Adams said he will probably present several options for the Board of Supervisors to consider when they take up the issue in March.

“There are different ways this can be accomplished, none of which are good,” Adams said.

Officials may increase fine for overdue books and begin charging a small fee when borrowers request that a book be reserved. The system may also institute a fee for ordering books from other libraries, such as UC Irvine’s.

Closing branches is another option, but Adams said it is too early to tell which branches could be targeted. “It’s one thing we need to look at,” he said.

Officials also will examine whether library hours can be further reduced. “Our experience is, when we went to four days a week, people were confused and didn’t know when the library was open,” Adams said. “I think (being open) less than four days (a week) would make it even more confusing.”

Billie Jackson, 58, of Anaheim, a retired secretary who spends time at the Heritage Park branch, said “it is unfair that we will have to pay the price for the bankruptcy. We are just trying to educate ourselves and improve ourselves.”

Adams also expressed reservations about cutting back on book and periodical orders. “Without some new kinds of new materials, there is no public library,” he said.

Finding new revenue sources will be crucial to getting through the financial crisis, he said. An independent library foundation could receive and disburse corporate and individual donations, he said. Most branches now receive a small amount of private support raised by volunteer organizations.

Other cities have found success with library foundations. Newport Beach’s foundation raised more than $2 million to help build the city’s new $8-million main library, which opened in 1994.

“The community values the library,” said David Carmichael, head of the Newport Beach foundation.

But volunteers at some local county libraries questioned how much more the public has to give.

“We’re probably doing as much as we can right now,” said Dorothy Nail, who heads the Friends of the Fountain Valley Library, which runs a bookstore to benefit the library. “We’re working as hard as we can.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Library’s Books

The Orange County Public Library system will spend $3.5 million of its $23.7-million budget on new books this fiscal year, while it accommodates millions of patrons. Library officials expect their budget will be cut about 24% because of the county’s fiscal crisis. A look at the library system over the past five years:

(In millions of dollars) Operating Budget 1994-95: $23.7 Book Purchases 1994-95: $3.5 Circulation* 1993-94**: 5.5 Users 1993-94**: 5.5 * Includes books, periodicals, records, CDs, videos, etc.

** Most recent information available

Source: Orange County Public Library

Researched by BERT ELJERA, ALAN EYERLY and SHELBY GRAD / For The Times