AMHERST — Three full-time positions at the Jones Library will remain vacant, as they have for the past six years, in the $3.09 million budget proposal recommended by the elected trustees.

The spending plan, approved unanimously at a March 28 trustees meeting, is up $94,411, or 3.2%, over this year’s $2.99 million budget.

The budget meets the financial guidelines set by the Town Council, which allows for a 4% increase in the town’s contribution. Under this proposal, the town would provide $2.39 million to the budget, up $92,083 from this year’s $2.3 million contribution.

To make the budget work, it also includes a 4% “draw,” totaling $350,858, from the nearly $9 million Jones Inc. endowment.

Library Director Sharon Sharry told trustees at the meeting that the positions haven’t been filled since retirements occurred in 2019, and those vacancies continue to compromise the services that can be offered at the main branch at 43 Amity St., as well as at the North Amherst Library and Munson Memorial Library.

“This hurts us, it hurts the library, it hurts the staff,” Sharry said.

Having 24 full-time employees, instead of 27, means the Jones is unable to meet the demand from the community and hold the programs needed, Sharry said. The library staff also includes 23 part-time employees, almost all of whom work under 20 hours a week, and seven substitutes.

More than two-thirds of the budget is personnel, with $2.08 million provided for salaries, and another $478,234 in benefits, including health insurance. Benefits rose by 12.9%, or $54,595, from the $423,369 in this year’s budget.

Amherst’s contribution provides 77.5% of the operating budget, with the state contribution of $172,723 picking up 5.6%, but down $14,014 from this year. The remaining 16.9% of revenues comes from $135,387 in gifts, $24,000 in donations from the Friends of the Jones Libraries, the endowment draw, grants and assorted fees.

“We couldn’t do it without the Friends, and the donations,” Sharry said. “People who donate to the library, we just thank you so much.”

Sharry was able to offset some of the usual costs by reducing expenses on maintenance and utilities, based on an assumption that the main library operations will be running from an interim space as the 43 Amity St. site undergoes a $46.1 million expansion and renovation. The hope is that building project will also help with future budgets, with a more energy efficient building having lower utility costs.

To get the full state aid, the library is obligated to spend an amount equal to 13% of its municipal appropriation, minus fringe benefits, on circulating materials. The Jones meets this requirement, spending around $250,000 on materials, using sources entirely outside the town appropriation.

Library trustee Lee Edwards said the only concern for the budget may be potential directives from the federal government that impact funding for libraries across the country, though she anticipates any actions by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency would be indirect.

“We’ve not risen to the level of support where DOGE is coming after the Jones Library specifically,” Edwards said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.