To add clarity to a recent report that total expenditures for Siouxland Libraries would drop from $11.7 million in 2010 to $6.6 million in 2011, the City of Sioux Falls is providing additional background. Although technically correct, the change in total budget does not accurately represent the real changes in the 2011 budget for Siouxland Libraries.

The primary reason for the downward change is the capital budget. The 2010 budget included funds to build a west side branch library for a total of $4.3 million. These funds are not included in the 2011 budget as they were already appropriated in the 2010 budget.

The 2011 operating budget is level compared to the 2010 budget with the holdbacks. Sally Felix, Director of Siouxland Libraries, said that current library hours will be maintained in 2011.