Wasilla library to remain free for non-residents

WASILLA — Reading remains free at the Wasilla Public Library.

Mat-Su Valley residents came together in force this week to ask Wasilla City Council to close the book on a proposal to charge a $20 annual library card fee for those who live outside city limits.

“I would like you to think about how much you’re charging people for the simple pleasure of reading,” Liz Potter told the council.

Not only does Potter oppose the $20 dollar fee, she is also worried about the impact it could have on families that can’t afford to spend an extra $20.

Council unanimously voted against the resolution; however, as council member Marty Metiva put it, “I don’t think the library issue is dead.”

The plan to charge for nonresidents to use the Wasilla Library came after the Mat-Su Borough announced it would reduce funding for Borough libraries by 20 percent per year over the next four years. That reduction reflects less money the Borough is expected to receive from the state for library funding. After four years, Borough funding of municipal libraries will cease.

It is not fair for the city to subsidize the use of a public facility for those who live outside the city, said Jeanne Troshynski, president of Friends of Wasilla Library.

“Ultimately, I think the Borough should kick in their part for non-city residents,” she said. Troshynski said many who live outside Wasilla city limits use the city library.

Although the Borough plans to reduce funding, Troshynski suggested the city also look at its own operations for addition funding. Wasilla doesn’t charge business owners a fee to renew a business license, she said. If the city were to require a small renewal fee, that money could be used to help fund the library.

Dianne Woodruff, one of two newly sworn-in council members, said the city should analyze its expenditures and reduce unneeded spending to come up with money for the library.

“We seem to have money for just about everything else besides the library,” Woodruff said.

Although establishing library fees was the topic the discussion for the council, Wasilla Finance Director Susan Colligan said there is another issue that must be addressed if a projected $73,000 isn’t provided through card fees.

“If we don’t have that revenue source we don’t have a balanced budget,” Colligan said.

Despite Colligan’s effort to express the importance of establishing a source of revenue for the library, council members voted firmly against the $20 fee for those living outside city limits.

“As long as I sit here I will never charge a resident or nonresident a library card fee,” Councilman Steve Menard said.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.