On The Chopping Block, Santa Cruz Libraries

SANTA CRUZ — Library leaders on Monday will consider slashing the new book budget, closing all branches on Fridays and raising some fines as they grapple with a $625,000 deficit on the system’s $13 million budget.

“Its not like there’s any fat in our current budget, so something’s got to give somewhere,” said library board member and Santa Cruz City Councilman Mike Rotkin. “What’s being proposed is the least painful of a number of alternatives.”