STONINGTON LIBRARY TO RESTORE CUT HOURS

Stonington — The Stonington Free Library announced Wednesday that it has restored the Friday hours it had to cut last month due to budgetary problems, after residents and businesses contributed money to cover the shortfall.

In a statement the library said it is “deeply appreciative of the many generous contributions” that will allow it to stay open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays through July 1, 2019.

A $45,000 deficit in the library budget had forced it last month to reduce programs and the purchase of materials, not offer raises and close on Fridays at 1 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

During the budget process this spring, the library had asked the town to increase its annual contribution from the current $147,000 to $257,000 in 2018-19 but the town left it at the current level.

The library returned to the Board of Finance last month to seek more funding but was told none was available. The finance board, though, formed a task force to look into a future funding plan for the library to help sustain its operation.

The library commended borough resident Beth Walker for spearheading the fundraising effort.

“Beth has long been a passionate supporter of the Library and took it upon herself to reach out to her network both to raise awareness of the Library’s current funding challenges and rally her friends, local businesses and the community to show how important the Library is to them and everyone who lives in Stonington,” it stated.

The library’s statement added that it is “delighted that this one-time act of generosity will provide an immediate stopgap, allowing the library to restore hours of community access. Over and above the monetary contribution, we enormously appreciate this demonstration of the community’s commitment to the long term viability of the Library and its value to our Town.”