NIAGARA FALLS: Babanoury leaving library?

Local News

November 6, 2009

<table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table> The Niagara Gazette Fri Nov 06, 2009, 11:34 PM EST

It appears as though the city of Niagara Falls soon will find itself looking for a new library director.

The Niagara Gazette has learned director Betty Babanoury has written a letter of resignation that could reach members of the board as early as today.

Babanoury, who is out of the area on vacation, declined to comment on the situation.

Board member Don King indicated that as far as he’s concerned Babanoury remains the library’s director. He added she is out of town and he has not received anything “official” regarding her stepping down from the library’s top post.

Library Board President Dolores Marino echoed King’s statements.

“As far as I know Mrs. Babanoury is on vacation,” she said. “I have had no letter from her. Until I get a letter so stating, I can’t do anything except to say she is on vacation.”

Discussion about Babanoury stepping down from her post comes at a time when library officials are attempting to secure additional dollars from the city for operations at both the Main Street and LaSalle branches.

Mayor Paul Dyster’s proposed 2010 budget allocated $1.7 million for the library, the same amount as the current year. Library officials requested an extra $65,664 to offset an expected drop in state aid, with Babanoury telling members of the city council that she felt an increase in funding was warranted. Babanoury’s 2010 budget request of $1.76 million would help cover a projected $36,567 shortfall in state revenue for two full-time grant positions on the payroll. Library officials also are expecting to lose $27,000 in state aid because the library failed to meet the maintenance requirements of the Central Library System based on 2006 and 2007 revenues. A waiver has been filed to keep the aid steady, but may not be granted, Babanoury told council members last month.

The two library branches on Main Street and Buffalo Avenue in LaSalle operate a combined 100 hours a week and have a total staff of 37 employees.

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.