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BRIEF: At least one of the city's departments - the library - says its budget cut recommendation of closing eight branches - as trumpeted on the front page of today's Houston Chronicle - isn't really what it recommended. Library spokeswoman Sandra Fernandez said the plan to save $1.6 million came at the direction of the city's budget committee and only as an alternative to the department's actual recommendation, which is still very much alive. "That was not part of our proposed budget," said Fernandez. "It was simply the only remaining alternative cut available that was not in the plan." Fernandez said the library department's actual proposal, which is mentioned much later in today's Chronicle story, called for a cut in service hours at 16 libraries, a reduction in the purchase of materials and a cutback in jobs. Total savings: $3 million as required by Mayor Lee Brown for fiscal year 2004. Mike Reed, KPFT News, Houston. E-mail Mike Reed at miker0130@yahoo.com . This story was broadcast on April 18, 2003.