Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 1, 2024 – The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library is getting by after its budget was cut in half by voters in November 2022, Library Director Vanessa Adams said.

As a result of the cut in funding, 15 people lost their jobs, mostly part-time employees, Adams said. The library is also now closed on Sundays. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 on Saturday.

“We are short-handed, and it’s getting to be a problem,” Adams said.

She said the library has “severely cut the supply budget,” and e-book purchases have dramatically been curtailed. To maintain operations, Adams said she has to ask the library’s board of directors to allow her to pull money from the library’s surplus, which has $2.5 million available.

Adams said the library is able to keep programs happening because of some inside help.

Valerie Carroll, president of the Friends of the Library (FOTL), said in February that the group is trying to help supplement the library’s finances.

The FOTL is helping fill the gap for adult and children’s services, Carroll said.

The group approved about $22,000 last year to help with the library’s budget, Carroll said. She said additional requests will be considered at the group’s next meeting.

Adams said without the FOTL’s help, many programs would have to cease.

The library got a new roof last year and work is continuing on its Freedom Plaza.

The library has come under fire since placing a gay pride exhibit in the children’s section in June 2021. Since then, David Eckert, the former library director, and Tonya Ryals, the former assistant library director, both resigned.

Adams took over in February 2022.