Tuscaloosa Public Library may get help amid financial troubles

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — After cutting hours at all three of its locations back in October of 2022 due to funding troubles, the Tuscaloosa Public Library may soon be getting some help.

During a finance meeting, Mayor Walt Maddox presented a proposal for short-term help for the library.

The first part of the plan is to take on the actual operating costs of the Weaver Bolden Library. That library is an auxiliary branch in west Tuscaloosa.

For this fiscal year, funding is projected to fall short by at least $300,00.

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"That certainly brings into question about what do we want those operations to be in the future, but the current situation in from of them is that we need to make that true. We do this now with para as it relates to the tennis center. Right now we fund any operational shortfall for that particular center...," said Mayor Maddox.

Mayor Maddox also recommended the city contribute 2.2 million dollars for roof repairs at the main library, with additional help from the county and city of Northport, to cover the complete cost of repairs which is around $5,000,000.

No action was taken on the mayor's recommendation. Discussion is expected to continue in the coming weeks.