Our team offers you intelligent, discreet real estate counsel.
Just ask our clients.
P A U L B L U M B E R G & A S S O C I A T E S
216-999-8338
PEBlumberg@aol.com
PaulBlumberg.HowardHanna.com
SHAKER LIFE | WINTER 2014 25
“In a slow market, Paul sold our home incredibly quickly
and helped us purchase our new home. He’s currently
marketing my home with my complete trust..”
Margaret Robey
“It was a pleasure working with Paul & Susan on the
quick sale of our condo in Beachwood and the purchase
of our beautiful new Shaker Heights home.” Wendy
Leonard
“In a difficult complex negotiation, Paul worked
tirelessly (and successfully) on our behalf.” Tim &
Susan Curtiss
“Paul is the most professional and caring Real Estate
Agent I’ve ever worked with.” Sue Berlin
Litchfield Road
Stanford Road
Chesterton Road Stanford Road
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
annually since their high water mark in
2009, bringing annual income loss to
$1.1 million since then. In fact, Shaker
Library will now be forced to cut another
eight percent of its budget for next year,
bringing the total recession-related cuts
to 24 percent. In addition, the unknowns
and challenges of healthcare costs further
stress the Library budget.
Following a record giving year in
2012-13, Friends of the Shaker Library
continues to sustain the Library by
funding programs, staff development
days, service recognition, and retirement
observances. The Friends also helps the
Library purchase equipment and furniture.
The Library is grateful to its Friends who
give not only money, but also valuable
volunteer time. Residents can add their
support by joining Friends of the Shaker
Library for as little as $15.
According to Library Board President
Jeanne Shatten, “The board is critically
aware of the tax burden our residents
carry. While the Library receives only 2.6
percent of the taxes collected locally, we
will not seek additional millage at this
time. As stewards of the public trust,
we will also not reduce the Library’s
tax-funded materials budget that serves
our customers’ needs.”
The Library was faced with reducing
the hours at Bertram Woods Branch and
significantly reducing staff hours. The
Library administration and the board
arrived at these cost-cutting decisions
after a thorough, data-driven review of
operations at both Main Library and
Woods Branch.
“We measured circulation, computer
use, questions asked, and the door count
at both,” Library Director Luren Dickinson
says. “The study revealed declining use at
Woods as well as peak days and hours of
use at both libraries, which allowed us to
make focused decisions on which hours
to reduce. Some staff reductions were
effected through resignations and retirement,
but we also had to make additional
cuts to reduce staff hours further.”
Library hours at Bertram Woods
Branch were changed to 1 to 9 pm
Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9 am to
5:30 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays. Main Library will close at
5:30 pm on Fridays.
Additional savings will be realized in
2014, when both libraries will be closed
for the Thanksgiving weekend. It will be
designated as a furlough, and each staff
member will lose one day of pay as a result.
According to Dickinson, “Although
we hope to avoid further cuts, we cannot
predict future funding. We will continue
to examine all expenditures carefully to
make sure they are absolutely essential
and will continue to look for savings
wherever possible.”
New Hours at
Bertram Woods Branch
1 to 9 pm Mondays and Wednesdays.
9 am to 5:30 pm Tuesday, Thursdays,
Fridays & Saturdays.
Closed Sundays.