As a result of a reduction in their FY16 budget passed by the Legislature in May, the Department of Libraries will reduce hours of operation and phase out Law Library services at the Vermont State Library, located in the Pavilion Building in Montpelier, beginning July 1. The Department of Libraries has developed a plan for moving forward with a reduction of over $400,000 in state general funds. The first major change comes with trimming State Library hours, library staff, library collection purchases, and ending legal reference service. Beginning July 1, the State Library will be open Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 4 pm, and closed on Fridays. The Library will retain its current print, state documents, and Vermont newspaper microfilm collections, but will not maintain the law collection.
“We have worked very hard to maintain as many of our Department’s services and programs as possible given the budget challenges facing the state," said State Librarian Martha Reid. “We will continue to work to sustain the high level of service our patrons have come to expect. But the reality is that we must make difficult choices and look for ways to live within our budget and meet as best we can the information needs of Vermonters.”
The Department’s FY16 budget includes a new appropriation of $67,000 which will be used as a grant to the Vermont Law School in South Royalton. Librarians at the Law School’s Julien and Virginia Cornell Library will provide access to legal resources and reference assistance to the general public and the legal community, beginning this fall. For more information, contact the Vermont State Library at 802-828-3268 during their scheduled business hours, or the Law School’s library at 802-831-1441. Until July 1, the State Library will be open Monday-Friday, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.
Source: Department of Libraries 6.12.2015