As part of an effort to solve the city's budget gap, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman proposed Tuesday cutting the library budget by reducing some staff salaries for 2008 and by cutting hours at two branches.

As Coleman gave his budget address last week detailing finances for the rest of the city, the most vocal protesters were the tykes holding up signs urging him to keep the city's libraries open.

Coleman announced Tuesday that he wants the city's 13 libraries to remain open, saying the city's libraries offer "core services" for local youth.

If the City Council approves Coleman's proposal, the Hayden Heights and Hamline Midway libraries would lose five hours per week. The city would add computers and programming to those libraries.

But salaries for seven library staff members would be reduced and library officials expect to save money through attrition and retirement.

Overall, the proposed library budget for 2008 would be about $300,000 less than the 2007 budget.

Libraries at Rice Street, Merriam Park and West Seventh would gain hours.

Coleman also called on Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- again -- to grant cities like St. Paul more state aid during a special session. In his budget address last week, the mayor said St. Paul needs the state's help to address its $17 million shortfall.

On Tuesday, Coleman said: "I'm not going to close libraries. We need to restructure; we have to live within our means."

That's good news for 11-year-old Kay Sheehan and her mother, Cheri, who attended Coleman's library budget speech at the Rondo library in St. Paul. They were concerned that the Hamline Midway library would be closed after early speculation that the branch was vulnerable.

"I really liked what Coleman said today about investing in our future," Cheri Sheehan said. "I love all that stuff."

Council Member Dan Bostrom, whose ward includes the Hayden Heights library, said it's early in the budget process.

He said libraries and rec centers serve a significant purpose in that community. There was a "great outpouring" of support for the Hayden Heights branch after city officials initially said money would be saved by closing it, he said.

Library officials expect nearly 2.7 million people to visit St. Paul's libraries in 2008. And although staff salaries would be reduced, library officials are content because there wouldn't be any layoffs under Coleman's proposal.

"In an ideal world, we would have no reductions," said Melanie Huggins, director of the city's libraries. "I'm pretty thankful we're not closing libraries."

Myron P. Medcalf • 651-298-1546

Myron P. Medcalf • mmedcalf@startribune.com