The UF library system may be forced to scale back on staff, resources and libraries if possible budget cuts go through.
In the 2012-13 budget review for the George A. Smathers Libraries, library staff proposed budgets for three possible scenarios: keeping the existing budget, a 5-percent budget cut and a budget increase.
Dean of University Libraries Judy Russell said the university's Responsibility Center Management committee recommends a budget based on the scenarios provided.
"I would be extremely surprised to find that we had a 5-percent cut," she said. "But again, you can't really predict that until you know what the overall financial assets of the university are."
If that cut is made, Russell said the libraries would likely have to lay off several employees and close the Architecture and Fine Arts, Journalism, Music and Education Libraries.
Russell said last year's budget review proposed the same three scenarios. The RCM committee recommended a 1-percent budget cut, which was enacted.
Russell requested to present the libraries' budget review in person, which she also did last year. She said she has not been given a schedule yet for this year's presentation.