Political library lets staff go

The New Hampshire Political Library has laid off its paid staff due to financial difficulties but will continue to operate, though board members are still figuring out what its priorities will be.

"We're going through a reconfiguration process like a lot of nonprofits in New Hampshire," said board Chairman Terry Shumaker. "The economy has been quite difficult for us. The political library will continue, and the board is studying exactly the best way to have that happen."

Shumaker said the library "has been around in various forms with and without staff" since it was founded in 1997.

"This is just a temporary setback for us," he said. "We existed in numerous different forms in the past; we will continue in the future."

Shumaker said the reconfiguration is necessary because of the difficulty of fundraising in the current economy. "Nonprofit giving is a challenge," he said.

The political library is most active about the time of the New Hampshire primary, hosting candidates, holding educational events, collecting an archive of primary-related material, and serving as a resource for journalists, researchers and candidates.

In 2007, the library took over a program that allows students to vote in mock elections on Election Day.

The political library also recently completed renovations to the Pierce Manse in Concord, the home of former president Franklin Pierce. The library rents office space in the building, displays exhibits there and helps run educational programs there through an affiliation with the all-volunteer Pierce Brigade.

Former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear at an event marking the conclusion of the renovations tomorrow. That program will be held as planned.

Shumaker said the renovations, which were funded partially by a federal grant, were done before the economic downturn hit.

"That money was spent before the economy went south," Shumaker said.

The library had three full-time staff members and one part-time librarian. Michael Chaney served as president and CEO, and other positions included a director of programs and a director of external affairs.

Chaney said yesterday that he was "still here as a board member."