Dunkirk library district initiative

FACTS AND FIGURESABOUT THE LIBRARY’S DISTRICT INITIATIVE

Creating Stable and Sustainable Funding

www.dunkirk.fundourlibraries.org

The Dunkirk Library is presently chartered as an association library Library is a free-standing not for profit

partially funded by the city and town through annual appropriations

The board of trustees, like all other not for profits, is self-perpetuating with a nomination process that is board driven.

WHERE WE STAND


WHERE WE STAND

Because of the tax cap and many other competing financial priorities, the Library has lost over 25% of its funding since 2011

$10,000 in funding from the town has been flat since 1998


These cuts have negatively impacted the Library. In the last four years: 208 open hours were cut per year,

including Saturday and evening hours Significant reductions to computer classes

as well as no reliable patron assistance Curtailed new materials purchases and

outreach

WHERE WE STAND


WHERE WE STAND

Our staff has been severely depleted Forced to cut full time computer staff in Feb.

2013 More times than not, staff members work 2 or

more hours alone with little time for patron one-on-one help

Maintenance staff hours have also been cut Funding has gone down while costs have

gone up Rise in minimum wage Increased costs of technology, books and

periodicals, utilities and building maintenance


DUNKIRK NEEDS OUR LIBRARY

In 2014 Over 53,000 people came to the Library

There are 13,881 people in our service area Over 41,000 items were circulated,

including downloadable eBooks 4,479 reference questions were answered Close to 6,500 people attended Library

programs Our public computers were used 17,381

times



The values of all library programs and services in 2014 was $914,413.50

For every tax dollar invested in the library, you received a public service return on investment of $6.97



Stagnant funding or continued cuts to the Library will further damage our ability to operate

Risk decreasing hours to below state standards

The community has told us they want a stronger, more vibrant library


LIBRARY DISTRICT IS THE ANSWER

The Library’s Board of Trustees have decided to become a library district that shares the school district’s boundaries Called a School District Public Library in State Ed

law because of the shared boundaries District will be established by a vote of school

district residents with a base level of funding Provide stable library support

School district voters elect 7 library trustees Each petitions to get on the ballot



Library will live within its own tax cap based on the initial level of community-based funding voted upon by school district voters

By law, the school district collects the library’s funding and turns it over to the library

Library may put a new budget before the voters each year



The Library will be completely independent of both the Dunkirk City School District, the City of Dunkirk and the Town of Dunkirk

But, will have the funding it needs to create needed community collaborations with both


COMMUNITY BASED FUNDING

The Library will be asking school district voters to establish the library district with $350,000 in community-based funding

Restores what the Library has lost and will enable us to strengthen and create new library programs and services

Funding will put Library on solid financial footing and provide sustainability


OUR NUMBERS TODAY


The vast majority of funding comes from the City

Lost 25% since 2011

Raise some funding

Depleted our reserve to balance budget

OUR NUMBERS TODAY


COMMUNITY-BASED FUNDING

Our community-based funding will amount to 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed value

For a home assessed at $45,639, you would pay $21.15 annually for the Library 40 cents per week—way less than the

cost of a cup of coffee per week


PERCENTAGE OF ALL CITY TAXES PAID

For school district residents who live in the city, the Library’s community based funding would amount to 0.72% (less than 1%) of all your taxes


PERCENTAGE OF ALL TOWN TAXES PAID

For school district residents who live in the town, the Library’s community based funding would amount to 1.16% of all your taxes


IF THE DISTRICT IS APPROVED

Increase open hours Create new and enhance existing

children’s programming Increase adult programming including

computer classes, a Book Club and a Crafting Club

Increase new materials budget for books, magazines, DVDs, audio books


IF THE DISTRICT IS APPROVED

Purchase new technology including desktop computers and laptops/tablets for in-library borrowing

Enhance staffing to develop computer classes, community outreach and other new programming and services

Improve storage and circulation of audio books and DVDs


IF THE DISTRICT IS NOT APPROVED

Slash open hours to the minimum allowed by law

Close on Saturdays Cut new materials budget over 30%

Fewer new books and new DVDs Curtail children’s programming

Story Time Summer Reading Program


IF THE DISTRICT IS NOT APPROVED

Eliminate computer classes Cut technology upgrades and

maintenance forcing patrons to use aging computers, software and facilities

More staff cuts Eliminate videoconferencing capability


WHERE AND WHEN

The vote to create the Library District will be on the Tuesday, May 19th school district ballot

Voting will take place from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at your usual school district polling place

Absentee ballots are available.


FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.dunkirk.fundourlibraries.org Janice Dekoff, Library Director

366-2511 [email protected]

http://www.dunkirk.fundourlibraries.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Dunkirk library district initiative

Education

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