Libraries to face budget shortfall
Deficit could mean fewer new acquisitions for the libraries.
Published Aug. 31, 2007
The MU Libraries have run into quite a dilemma.
All the intertwined libraries at MU might start having fewer new acquisitions in the near future because of a significant shortfall in their budget, MU Libraries Director James Cogswell said. Cogswell cited a lack of money as the biggest issue.
He said the budget is on pace for a $600,000 deficit by fiscal year 2009, and MU Libraries will have to plan to stop buying new items because so far there is no solution to the projected deficit. No other prospective resolution has yet been brought forth.
"We are trying to determine our strategy right now," Cogswell said. "But it boils down to cutting our acquisitions in some way so we don't run a deficit or finding additional funding, which we don't have."
Those affected by the budget shortfall are not only limited to library staff, but also include others tied to the school.
"We are a resource for all of the state's academic information because we are the largest and most comprehensive," Cogswell said. "Everything from Mizzou and Wash U all the way down to small bible and chiropractic colleges are tied together."
Cogswell said by virtue of being the largest and most comprehensive, MU is the collection that most people tap into when they don't have a publication they desire. He said the MU Libraries share more than 50,000 items each year.
"Every time we don't buy something, our entire network is affected," Cogswell said.
But MU administrators haven't ignored the library's problems, Cogswell said. He has already scheduled a meeting to discuss the budget issues with the chancellor and provost.
Frank Schmidt, Faculty Council president and a biochemistry professor, said he can't help but notice the immediate problems the shortage is causing.
Schmidt said he feels the inadequate funds could make it more difficult for faculty to provide up-to-date information for students during their lectures.
"Professors keep up on their field by reading journals," Schmidt said. "If that gets cut, we won't have access to any new facts to keep up on our fields."
Schmidt said students might be directly affected as well.
"The books budget would be drying up, so students might not get as much up to date information," Schmidt said.
Regardless of the politics surrounding the situation, Schmidt said there are problems that need to be fixed.
"I think that if you look at the charter of the university library, it's supposed to be the central information area for the entire state," Schmidt said. "As budgets have been cut, that clearly affects anyone who uses the information."
