[Publib] Non-Resident use

[Robert Balliot]

No. Libraries do not create an economic burden to communities.  They
generate more resources as collective entities than they consume.
They do not increase property taxes.  They increase property values.

What is expensive is the current model of library bureaucracies.  While
many library directors failed to become early adopters and
recognized experts in new media, new departments were
created in cities and towns for information technology.  New technology
in cities and towns represented unquestioned spending. It was supposed
to represent a solid investment in efficiency. More often than not, it
was merely extremely profitable for the vendors.

Library bureaucracies could have gone in the same direction as many
colleges and Universities - where the library becomes integrated
with IT.  There is huge efficiency and collective value for the public where

information technology and information resources are combined.

R. Balliot
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com



On Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 2:42 PM, James Casey <jcasey at olpl.org> wrote:

> 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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> > Publib at webjunction.org
> > https://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
> >
> >
>
> --
> Sent from my mobile device
>
>
> Steve Benson
>
>
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