NORTON - Norton Public Library officials want a state budget amendment for another $134,000 solely for their facility.

Six layoffs - including one full-time employee - and an 18-hour cut in summer hours were approved by the trustees Tuesday night, board President Herbert Ellison said.

Library officials hope to restore those positions if the Statehouse passes the budget amendment filed last week by state Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole.

The $134,000 would reduce the library's budget cut to 5 percent, positioning the directors for a state certification requirement waiver from the state board of library commissioners, Head Librarian Elaine Jackson said.

Voters at the May 12 annual town meeting set the library's budget at $295,314. That's a 40 percent cut to the budget. "We took the recommendation of the finance committee. They said, 'If we can't fund you, go to the state,' " Ellison said.

The six layoffs are: one full-timer, four part-timers and one summer page.

"We had to proceed on the basis of 'We're not going to get it (the state money),' so we have to lay them off now," Ellison said.

Some employees also have accepted reduced hours.

Starting July 1, the library will be open for 26 hours a week; it's usually open 40 hours a week during the summer, Jackson said.

The new hours will be: Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The typical summer hours are: Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jackson said.

Summer events that the library had contracted for will still happen, Ellison said.

"Basically, the storytelling program is gone. We hope to be able to put in volunteers to put in a modest program," he said.

Jackson hopes to maintain her monthly summer program for seniors. That depends on contributions, though. During the rest of the year, the library will be open 32 hours a week, down from 50 hours, Ellison said.

The library's budget for new materials is "taking a big hit," Ellison said. "We're going to have to raise money for new books and the like through donations," he said.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.