Visitors to MSU’s Main Library have noticed something missing from the building this spring, and it’s not a book.

The fountain at the building’s north entrance has yet to be filled.

That’s not all.

The fountain between Student Services and the Natural Sciences Building isn’t flowing either.

But water lovers needn’t worry, the fountains should flow again - at least for the time being.

Although grounds officials attribute the fountain delay to weather and maintenance issues, Campus Park and Planning director Jeff Kacos said he wouldn’t rule out shutting off the fountains indefinitely if budget woes continue to plague the university.

Grounds Maintenance Department manager Gary Parrott said he doesn’t expect the water in the library fountain to start flowing before July 1 because it may need some repairs. The other fountain will hopefully be online sometime next week.

“The fountains are a fairly small part of the budget,” Kacos said. “(But) we’ve had budget cuts for so many years, you have to look at everything.”

Grounds Maintenance, a part of Campus Park and Planning, reports spending about $17,000 each year to operate and maintain the two fountains.

With the planning department’s budget for next year just more than $2 million, Kacos said $1.1 million needs to be tagged for labor costs and about $500,000 set for supplies and services.

Kacos said the department has cut costs by eliminating some “nonessential” expenses, including an unspecified number of jobs.

If the budget needs to be cut again next year, the department could reduce the amount of flowers and bulbs planted, and some temporary jobs, Kacos said.

But the fountains aren’t up for cost-cutting debate when it comes to students such as interdisciplinary studies in social science senior Cody Vanderwest, who enjoys the peaceful atmosphere provided by the flowing waters.

“I’m all for being economical,” he said. “But it’s not going to keep tuition down, so let ’em run.

“I came over here because it’s supposed to be a good quiet place to study.”

But university leaders say all is fair game when pinching pennies.

“Everybody has been tightening their belts,” Trustee Dee Cook said. “It’s chalk, it’s pencil sharpeners, it’s a lot of things.”