Supporters of the Concord Public Library are worried by rumors that the mayor is considering closing the library for budgetary reasons.

Mayor Jim Bouley and other city officials say that they've made no decisions but that every option is on the table in light of the city's dire fiscal situation.

"Everything is going to be affected - library, recreation, police, fire," Bouley said. "You could cut the whole library and you still don't come close to the numbers you need to meet the deficit. You could pick up the whole administration, personnel, finance, etc., and you still don't meet the numbers."

Several concerned residents have contacted the Monitor in recent days expressing concern about the library. Mike Alberici, a music teacher who visits the library three times a week, said closing the library would be "devastating" for his family.

"My children learned to read from books in the library," Alberici said. "We're a TV-free family who are very into reading and media from the library. . . . We can't afford to just go out and buy books for our children and ourselves. The library's our only option." (Last month, Alberici wrote a column for the Monitor praising the services that the library provides.)

"If the library has to reduce hours, I can understand that," Alberici said. "To completely close the library would be a tragedy. Especially in economic hard times, now's the time when people need it most."

The rumors started after a few city leaders said Bouley told them library hours could be curtailed or cut. School board President Kass Ardinger said that during conversations about the city and school budgets, the mayor told her the library could be closed.

"I was told on a couple of occasions there wouldn't be any hours for the library," she said.

As a result, Superintendent Chris Rath offered the use of the school district's libraries to help make up for hours that could be cut back at the public library.

Library Foundation President Tenley Callaghan said she has heard Bouley say the library may close entirely.

"I find that statement terrifying," she said.

With branches in both Concord and Penacook, the library had a total budget of $1.7 million this year. It employs 35 people, counting both part-time and full-time employees. The city has been considering plans to construct a new building for the library, with a task force starting to look at possible sites.

When asked by the Monitor about the rumors, Bouley would not comment specifically on what proposals were being considered for the library.

"Everything from public safety to recreation to everyone at city hall, you name it, everything is on the table," Bouley said.

Bouley said he has been talking to city employees in all departments, telling them about the cuts that will be necessary and asking them to call their state representatives. He said anyone concerned about the shortfall should ask the Legislature to reinstate money for cities from revenue sharing and state funding of the retirement system - money that was cut from the governor's proposed budget.

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