[Publib] Non-Resident use

[James Casey]

Steve and Bob make excellent points about the economic realities of library funding.  The Illinois situation and grossly uneven levels of service from library to library is largely a factor of disproportionately large funding derived from local property taxes and very little from the State.   Over 90% of our funding is derived from property taxes.  Most public libraries face this reality while drawing 2 or 3 or 4 percent of the total property tax bill while the public schools claim something like 62% and keep pushing for more. Fierce pressure to restrain or reduce property taxes may be inspired by the schools, but every entity securing funds from that source is affected.

Ohio had the best situation with the Public Library Fund derived from income taxes on the state level and through the counties.  While some libraries also had local property tax dollars coming in, that merely augmented rather than sustained funding for public library services.  The recent 30% cut at the State level to public libraries represented a reversal of a very good situation.  If they have to begin resorting to local property taxes, the Ohio public libraries will fall into competition with townships, counties, parks and public schools for those dollars.  

James B. Casey -- My own views
Director, Oak Lawn Public Library
Suburban Chicago
ALA Council Member

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Steve Benson
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:22 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Non-Resident use

The philosophy of free access to all library services for all is noble
but economic realities can't be ignored.  Libraries are not really
free because somewhere there are sources of revenue that make them
possible.

Imagine Town A with a wonderful well funded library.  Neighboring Town
B has decided to save the expense of a library.  In fact, they have
also decided that the budget savings will be used for an economic
development fund to offer incentives to businesses considering setting
up in Town B.  Town A is often in competition with Town B for these
businesses.  This scenario is not so far fetched.

Is it wrong for Town A to charge residents of Town B a library use
fee?  I'd offer that it would be a very reasonable choice.  This
illustrates to me that the debate is not black/white, right/wrong.
There is always a possibility of economic realities entering into the
mix that can't be ignored and that influence policy decisions.  Where
this leads to is a continuum of appropriate choices defined by the
unique circumstances faced by any particular library.


On 10/20/09, Bob Watson <librarybob at gmail.com> wrote:
> There are various types of non-resident use.  Non-equal funding is the
> cause of one type of restriction ... with libraries restricting the
> residents of neighboring libraries not only because they place a
> burden on one's own taxpayer's resources, but also in the hope that
> those individuals will then support increased tax levies at home.
>
> Some years ago, when directing a different library, I was called and
> thanked by the director of an adjacent library who was fighting for
> increased funding.
>
> States vary.  This is an Illinois experience, where state support is
> minimal, no county support exists (except for "county" libraries), and
> all special-use districts are tied to property taxes.
>
> Bob Watson
> Director
> Lake Villa District Library
> Lake Villa, IL
>
>
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-- 
Sent from my mobile device


Steve Benson


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