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Raymond Withers-Tong, a law clerk, at the law library at Superior Court in New Britain, where the hours are being reduced due to budget issues. Gary Lewis |
Deirdre McPadden, director of judge support services, said the financial crisis, combined with the retirement of two law librarians, resulted in this decision.
The latest budget season hit the court system hard, with the state Judicial Branch having to deal with a $77 million reduction in the budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
According to McPadden, for the law libraries, officials have not been able to fill positions or replace people who have retired.
There are 12 law libraries located in state courthouses, and now, more than half will be operating on a reduced schedule.
Starting Oct. 1, seven of the 12 libraries will be open four days each week.
"At this point, it is indefinite and until further notice," McPadden said. "Given ongoing staffing shortages and recent retirements, we have determined that it is necessary to further curtail the hours of operation in the Judicial Branch law libraries. This decision was made with great reluctance, after a careful and thoughtful assessment of library operations statewide."
Read the rest at CT Law Tribune.
