Budget cuts likely on the horizon for St Paul libraries

St. Paul Public Libraries will not return to pre-COVID service levels at any time in 2021, due to budget cuts that Mayor Melvin Carter has proposed in next year's budget. Like nearly every city department, the libraries will have to cut spending and eliminate vacant positions to help meet a nearly $20 million 2021 city budget shortfall. For the libraries, a proposed $1.3 million in cuts would mean buying fewer materials and shortening hours.