The Douglas County Public Library is planning a reorganization which means an annual savings of $17,400 and the permanent downgrade of one position.

Library Director Linda Deacy is to make a presentation Thursday to county commissioners. The plan was approved May 28 by the library board of directors.

“This proposed reorganization enhances patron service with an emphasis on assisting patrons in the evaluation, selection and use of 21st century technologies,” Deacy said in her written report to the board.

“The reconfiguration of staff resources and responsibilities will support programs that have been identified in the (library) long-range plan, and in the priority-based budgeting model as highly relevant to the residents of Douglas County,” she said.

She said although traditional library services are included and enhanced, the primary priority is an emphasis on technology.

The library proposes to take advantage of the retirement of a long-time staff member and the resignation of a part-time staff person to implement the following changes:

• Reduce the number of staff assigned to Youth Services to two full-time equivalents;

• Eliminate the community library services/community services position and replace with a lower grade library technician;

• Add two part-time library technician I positions;

• Add one 11-hour per week library page.

The library has operated with a vacancy of one full-time senior library technician, one 11-hour per week library page, and one six-hour per week library technician for more than five years, Deacy said.

“The absence of these positions, combined with a substantial and ongoing increase in patron demand, has made it difficult to provide adequate staffing at an appropriate level of patron service during evening and Saturday operations and to meet patron demand for assistance with digital materials and technology. During that time, DCPL experienced a 24 percent increase in usage while staff was reduced by 10 percent, Deacy said.

She said the proposal creates additional flexibility in scheduling to cover two public facilities that are open a total of 82 hours per week, and brings staff assignments and workload into closer alignment with the library’s long-range plan.