BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Update: This story has been updated to clarify that the hiring freeze applies to all county departments, except for first responders.
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Buncombe County leaders have implemented a hiring freeze across most departments, citing reduced revenues. County government officials revealed the hiring freeze Friday, Jan. 10, in a press release detailing changes to the public library schedule due to "staffing shortfalls and anticipated budget restrictions."
Communications and Public Engagement Director Lilian Govus confirmed that the hiring freeze was countywide and affected about 80 positions. Govus said life-safety positions, such as 911 and EMS, were exempt from the freeze.
Regarding library schedules, Friday's news release said the most-used locations will remain on their current schedule, while other locations will reduce operating hours by "one or two days per week."
“Despite unprecedented challenges facing Buncombe County in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, we are still able to operate all 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries with a partially modified schedule,” Library Director Jason Hyatt said in a written statement. “We have heard from our community that they want our libraries to maintain their current footprint, and this schedule was developed with staff input and data. We would obviously prefer to expand offerings, but we have prioritized our patrons while allowing opportunity for library staff to focus on core departmental functions such as youth services, program planning, community outreach, and collection development.”
Beginning on Saturday, Jan. 25, the Swannanoa Library will reopen, but all Buncombe County Public Libraries will operate on a modified schedule due to storm-related budgetary impacts, according to a release from the county.
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Despite changes, each library branch will continue offering youth services and early literacy programs.
"As Buncombe County shifts priorities from emergency response to recovery, it is vitally important to maintain our cultural assets while balancing fiscal responsibility," said Assistant County Manager Tim Love via the release. "While we don’t have a projected timeframe for this new schedule, this is not intended to be a permanent change to operations but will help us get through this period of budget and staffing strain."
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The release says this scheduling change aims to minimize the impact on staff. That shift involves two permanent transfers.
On closed days, staff at library locations with reduced schedules will have secondary assignments at other branches. The release says this ensures all staff will retain their current scheduled hours and pay.
The schedule for Buncombe County Public Libraries (effective Jan. 25) is below: