The Library Board of Control has approved a $7.7 million budget for 2010 that varies little from the one approved for 2009.

In 2009, the library system took in $7.6 million and spent $7.4 million. In 2010 the board is projecting the system will take in $7.77 million and spend $7.70 million.

Interim Director Donald Westmoreland said one expense he is increasing is the money used to pay for database subscriptions. He said this appears to be the future of the library, which he feels is very positive.

“It takes some pressure off out shelves and provides access now in the smaller branches that we didn’t have before for some of these larger collections,” he said.

Westmoreland said he presented a very conservative budget for the board to approved, taking into consideration the current economic times.

Another jump in expenses is due to an increase in retirement contributions required by the state.

The coming year will be a busy one for the board, with plans to appoint a new director and to begin construction on a new library in the Madisonville area.

Tuesday evening, the board approved a $100 a month raise for Westmoreland. The raise will be paid to him retroactively going back to when he was appointed to replace Janice Butler when she resigned in August.

The board is working on developing a search committee and setting up interview questions to find the new director. Westmor0eland will continue to serve as interim director until one can be appointed.

The board is also developing some publicity tools to promote the library’s adult programming.

Board President Argiro Morgan reported the system is putting together videos promoting the different programs. The videos will be shown on the government access cable channel 10.