Library funding should not be optional

John Combs/Spectrum

January 19, 2007

Since ancient times, every civilization has placed great value on public libraries as a crucial and fundamental service of their communities. Times have not changed. Public libraries hold the archives of the very foundation of a community, provide resources in the form of books and computer access for present patrons, and establish the basis of knowledge for those who will follow, especially our children.

The Mat-Su Library Network consists of seven libraries - Big Lake, Sutton, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek and Willow (the borough libraries), and the city facilities in Palmer and Wasilla. The city of Palmer has established a Palmer Library budget of $616,551 for the 2007 calendar year.

In prior years, the borough has, though a block grant, helped to offset these expenses. Most recently, Palmer received $294,851, and the city of Wasilla collected $360,594 in borough funding.

In 2006, the percentage of books or movies checked out from the Palmer library to borough residents was 75.5 percent, followed by Palmer residents at 21.8 percent. In Wasilla, non-city residents accounted for 79.2 percent, with city residents checking out 17.2 percent of the available materials.

The cities of Palmer and Wasilla are not asking for our &#8220fair share,” i.e.75.5 percent of the Palmer library and 79.2 percent of the Wasilla expenses. In fact, we are only seeking a continuation of the present levels of support, which amounts to less than 50 percent of our city budgets.

Speaking only for Palmer, without this borough funding on behalf of their own citizens, the result only holds negative consequences. These include reducing staff, hours of operation, and a minimal amount of days of access. It could even result in closing the library down completely.

However, by continuing the current level of funding, the borough is helping its own core-area patrons and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

To those who say, &#8220I already pay sales tax in Palmer, so the city should pay for the library.” Remember this: A significant amount of sales tax collected is apportioned out to the library ($321,700, if the borough continues its funding).

From our 3 percent sales tax, Palmer also pays for well-maintained streets and roads, police protection, sewer and water, baseball and soccer fields, a tennis court, an ice arena, planning services and matching funds for a number of road and sewer and water upgrades.

The Palmer library alone checks out approximately six times more volumes and other materials than the other five borough libraries combined.

Libraries speak to the very heart of a community. They are a safe place for teens and other youth to spend time. There are numerous children reading programs throughout the year. Libraries provide a space for seniors to recreate, learn and grow. Libraries bring government and other resources closer to the people.

If you feel as I do, that the Palmer and Wasilla library funding from the borough should continue at the same level as 2006, please contact the assembly members, as well as the offices of the borough mayor and borough manager.

To become a Friend of the Palmer Library, please contact Pat Kilmain, library director, at 746-4700, or stop by the Palmer library. Also, there will be a tri-city/borough meeting on Feb. 8 at the Wasilla Sports Complex beginning at 6:30 p.m. for further information.

It's time to come together and not allow our library to be red-lined out of existence.

John Combs is the Palmer mayor.