Creating Stable& Sustainable Funding

Basloe Library’s Path to the Future

Basloe Library: Herkimer’s Anchor

• Herkimer School District residents depend on Basloe for– Getting our kids to love reading early– Keeping our families entertained and educated– Keeping our seniors engaged– Public computers– Free WiFi– Community meeting space– Strong collections and information– FREE resources

Basloe Library: Herkimer’s Anchor

• Herkimer School District residents depend on Basloe for– One-on-one professional research assistance– One-on-one assistance with eReaders– A collection that is unfettered by corporate or

political influence– Photocopying, faxing, scanning and printing

• All at a low cost• All with staff to assist patrons

Our Numbers Tell Our Story

• In 2011– 10,158 people used our 11 public computers– 67,993 items were circulated– 1,973 people attended 132 session– 59,322 library visits– 4,281 reference questions answered

• In 2012, even with being closed 4 weeks– 13,033 public computer sessions– 73,596 library visits

Our Numbers Tell Our Story

• The total value of the programs and services the Library provided in 2012 was $989,538.

• For every tax dollar the community invested in Basloe in 2012, the community received back $4.40 in library programs and services.

• This is a great public service return on investment for a community our size.

Our Funding Tells A Different Story

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Village $ 166,983.00 $ 176,189.00 $ 170,000.00 $ 170,000.00 $ 148,000.00 $ 102,895.00

Town $ 21,000.00 $ 21,000.00 $ 21,000.00 $ 21,000.00 $ 21,000.00 $ 21,000.00

County $ 8,951.00 $ 8,973.00 $ 8,719.00 $ 8,719.00 $ 8,719.00 $ 8,719.00

School District Ballot $ 30,000.00 $ 35,000.00 $ 40,000.00 $ 45,000.00 $ 45,000.00 $ 90,000.00

State $ 2,485.00 $ 2,407.00 $ 2,211.00 $ 2,039.00 $ 1,835.00 $ 1,800.00

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 $-

$20,000.00

$40,000.00

$60,000.00

$80,000.00

$100,000.00

$120,000.00

$140,000.00

$160,000.00

$180,000.00

$200,000.00

VillageTownCountySchool District BallotState

Our Funding Tells A Different Story

• In 2012, School District voters increased our funding from $45,000 to $90,000

• The same year, the Village cut our funding by $45,000

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 $-

$20,000.00

$40,000.00

$60,000.00

$80,000.00

$100,000.00

$120,000.00

$140,000.00

$160,000.00

$180,000.00

$200,000.00

VillageSchool District Ballot

2% Tax Cap

• The Town and Village finances are strained under the state tax cap

• The Library is just one voice in competing financial priorities

• Expect further cuts

Stagnant Funding

• New materials budget the lowest it’s been in years

• No teen/tween programming• No Saturday hours during the summer• Not able to network and collaborate

effectively with community partners like our schools

Stagnant Funding

• Puts Basloe at risk– Out of date collections– Inability to grow and meet community needs

• Staying at current funding levels means eventually the Library will no longer– Be able to meet community needs– Be considered an important asset– Be able to keep its doors open

Solving Basloe’sFunding Issues

• Basloe is chartered as a municipal library serving the Village of Herkimer

• In actuality, we serve the entire school district

• Taking steps forward to share community-based funding throughout the school district

Solving Basloe’sFunding Issues

• The Library’s Board of Trustees has voted to pursue becoming a School District Public Library– Service area is the same as the school district

(thus the name)– Public votes to approve creating the district

with base funding level– Public elects 5 trustees

Solving Basloe’sFunding Issues

• On Tuesday, May 21st, the voters in the Herkimer City School District will be asked to – Approve establishing the Library District with

community-based funding of $270,930• 78 cents/$1,000 of assessed value

– Elect 5 trustees

• The budget could not increase without a vote.

• Trustees will be elected on a rotating basis.

Solving Basloe’sFunding Issues

• For an average home assessed at $80,000– $60 a year– $5 a month– $1.15 a week

• Annually, this amounts to– Borrowing 3 adult

books/e-books or– 4 new DVDsInstead of purchasing

Library is Only Asking for1% in Community-Based Funding

Percentages based on current 2012 tax bills and then factoring in community-based funding for the library.

Your Future. Our Focus.

• If Basloe’s funding is stable and sustainable, the Library can put our focus on the future of our community.

• The Library understands how important it is to downtown/Main Street.

• Strengthening the Library means supporting and improving our downtown.

Your Future. Our Focus.

• In focus groups and community survey, you told us you wanted a stronger library that could provide– More hours– A more diverse collection– More programs for all age levels especially

Teens and Tweens– Increased collaborations in the community

Establishing theDistrict Means

• Restore 10 hours a week– Go from 46 to 56 hours

• Restore new materials budget– Books– eBooks– DVDs– AudioBooks

• Increase periodical offerings

Establishing theDistrict Means

• Restore Teen/Tween programming• Increase Children’s and Adult

programming• Hire an additional full-time professional

librarian• Increase continuing education

opportunities for the staff and retraining skilled staff to take on new responsibilities

Not Establishing the District Means

• Close an additional day a week– Total of 37 open hours

• Further cuts to materials budget. – Less Books– Less eBooks– Severely cut new DVD and AudioBook

purchases– Very little replacement of damaged or missing

materials

• Cut purchases of large print books

Not Establishing the District Means

• Reduce periodical subscriptions• No Teen/Tween programs• No expansion of Children’s and Adult

programs• Maintain inadequate staffing levels that

impact quality of service• Severely limit staff continuing education

opportunities

When Do You Decide?

• Vote takes place on Tuesday, May 21st with the School District Budget vote

• Polls open 1 to 9 p.m.• Vote at Herkimer High School• Or by absentee ballot through the school

For More Information

• midyorklib.org/herkimer• Come to the Library• Watch your mail box• Contact Michelle Andersen, Library Board

Chair at mmandfam@juno.com

Questions?