Make library a priority, not fiscal target

Wasilla doesn’t value reading, education or broadening the knowledge base of its residents or those around them. The quality and vibrancy of a city’s public library is not a priority and it’s not protected as a community asset.

That’s the message the city is sending by making a decision to suspend the purchase of new books, periodicals and other materials to make up for a projected $72,000 shortfall in funding from the Mat-Su Borough. Blaming the Borough that it fell short on funding its $365,000 contribution to the library’s overall $769,000 budget is hogwash. Or, because you won’t find an updated thesaurus at the Wasilla Public Library this year, we also call that excuse a lot of claptrap, balderdash, blarney, moonshine, jive, bunk, guff and baloney.

Of the library’s overall budget, $72,000 is about 9.3 percent. Sure, that’s not a small hit to take at once, but there’s no other belt to tighten at the library when the alternative is not buying new books? City staff says laying people off isn’t an option and preserving jobs is priority. If people stop going to the library because they don’t find it useful anymore, they’ll all eventually be out of work.

Overall, Wasilla has a general operating fund budget of about $17.2 million. Maintaining a healthy, vibrant public library is worth mayor Dianne M. Keller gathering her department heads and telling them the city is going to commit to funding this gap. If each department were directed to free up .4 percent, the freeze would not be necessary.

The point is, the city does have the money to fund its library, but is choosing not to. We believe this a dangerous, frightful and political choice. Along with the quality of a city’s schools, its library is one of the top indicators that reflects the quality and desirability of a community. Realtors use a great local library as a selling point.

The bottom line is the city took the lazy way out. Cutting new books from a library is the most extreme and dramatic reaction to a problem that shouldn’t be that extreme to fix. If the city finds it that difficult to find $72,000 in a $17.2 million general fund budget, then go to the community. Partner with the Friends of the Wasilla Library to host fundraisers and a giving campaign. We have a very generous community and if the city were sincere and asked for donations to buy new books, we’re confident the response would be there.

If city administration won’t act appropriately and maintain our public library, we call on city council and the public to make it happen. The council meets next at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Wasilla City Hall. Attend and let the council know you value the city’s public library as much as the city should. And bring a good book; the meetings can run long.