The books that reside on the shelves at the Mendive Middle School Public Library will soon be counted, stocked and some relocated. Due to budget cuts, the Washoe County Library System will be closing Mendive Library’s doors to the public on May 16.

While the closure was at first thought to be temporary, Interim Library Director Arnie Maurins said on April 16 the decision to close the library was made permanent.

“When we realized all the things we had to do to get our books and computers out, it wouldn’t be worth the move,” Maurins said.

Maurins explained that the library, which has been open to the public beginning at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, will remain open only for the school and that the Washoe County Library System was working with the middle school to decide which books would stay on the shelves and which ones would be relocated.

“We’re leaving books and things that will help the school with their curriculum,” Maurins said.

He emphasized that the decision to close the Mendive Library to the public was a difficult one, but the determining factor was its proximity to other resources.

“The decision was based on location to other libraries,” Maurins said. “The Sparks Library is about three miles away.”

Maurins said that by closing the one library, hopefully others would remain open.

“We felt that the one closure would be sufficient,” Maurins said. “And we’re hoping not to close any more."

Maurins said that in addition to books and computers going to other libraries that the five people who staff the Mendive Library will work at other branches. The Washoe County Library System has nearly 30 vacant positions available and the people from Mendive will help alleviate some of the workload.

“We are keeping the same services with less staff,” said Bonnie Saviers, marketing coordinator for the Washoe County Library System.

Saviers explained that the library system was asked by the county to cut 15 percent of its budget, which comes to more than $1.9 million.

“The county has had a huge revenue shortfall,” Saviers said.

She said that the county has seen a decrease in sales tax revenue due to the downturn in the economy.

Saviers said that the Washoe County Library System has 13 branches and, when looking at the numbers, closing one branch made sense. Maurins estimated that the closure will save the library system $15,000 to $20,000 a year.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Mendive Library branch manager Megan Conelly. “Due to budget cuts we’ve had to make some hard decisions.”

Conelly said that the library’s patrons have been disappointed but understanding about the closure.

“We have received some e-mails and communications from people who are not happy about it,” Maurins said. “They are disappointed but understand that when times are tough decisions need to be made.”

Saviers said that during difficult economic times, people seek out free services like the library or programs that it might offer. She said that instead of going to the movies, which can be expensive, people might go to the library.

Seventh grader Devin Sprinkle, 13, said that he enjoys the library as it is and isn’t sure if he would go to another library if he couldn’t find the book he needed at Mendive.

“This is where I get all my books from,” Sprinkle said. “They have a lot of good books here, this is where I’ve gotten all the books for my book reports this year.”

The library is convenient for more than just students like Sprinkle. LaVone Kinzie said she used the library to help her ill mother-in-law, but now uses it to get her own reading material, as well.

“I do use the library very often,” Kinzie said. “They’ve always been congenial and helpful and have a vast array of books. I’m going to miss it because I live in Red Hawk.”

Kinzie said she was unaware that the library was closing and that she will miss the convenience of it.

Like Kinzie, Debbie Wogberg did not know the library would being closed to the public as of May 16 and was disappointed.

“I either do the Read and Exchange Program or look for a specific book,” Wogberg said. “It’s convenient because it’s closer for me.”

Wogberg said that the Spanish Springs Library doesn’t offer the Read and Exchange Program. The program allows people to bring books from home and exchange them with ones not yet read. She said she would probably use the Sparks Library because that library has the program.

Maurins and Saviers stressed that the mobile library will still stop at Mendive and people will be able to return and check out books that way.

The Mendive Library has been open since September 1995 as a partnership with the Washoe County School District.

The Mendive Library will be open until 6 p.m. on May 16. Books still check out can be returned at other libraries.