The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce hopes you vote "yes" for the library millage renewal. (MyBayCity Photo by Steve Kent) Bay Area Chamber Says 'Vote Yes' For Library Renewal of Operating Millage
October 30, 2010
Leave a Comment
|
||||||||||
| Printer Friendly Story View |
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce endorses the library millage renewal on the November 2nd ballot and urges a "yes" vote by Bay County Voters.
On November 2nd Bay County voters will be asked to renew a 1 mill levy for Bay County Library System operating expenses for the next four years. This will amount to about 58% of the Library System's total revenue - other sources of revenue include about 0.5 mill from the 20-year construction millage that passed in 2000, state aid (which is now $40,000 per year and steadily diminishing), penal fines, donations and library fines.
Following two failed millage renewals of 1.2 mills in 2006, voters approved a reduced millage of 1.0 mill for three years in 2007. This amounted to a reduction of about $600,000 per year as compared to pre-2006 revenue. Since then the Bay County Library System has greatly increased programming and other services, while placing much greater emphasis on marketing activities to the public so that they know what is going on in their libraries - all with reduced staffing levels.
It is very significant that use of the libraries has been increasing steadily during the past three years. It is during difficult economic times that greater numbers of people look to their public libraries for assistance with job searching and application, checking out materials at no cost rather than buying them, and using computers with high-speed Internet connection to access information that is increasingly becoming available only online - such as government and current medical information.
The library in the 21st century is evolving into a (the) community center where people of all ages and walks of life are welcome and treated equally. Children, teens and college students rely on the library for resources and assistance with homework. Tutors, both volunteers with the Literacy Council of Bay County and private, use library facilities for teaching people of all ages to read. Adults use library resources for lifelong education as they pursue "how-to" interests, hobbies, personal investment, entrepreneurship and even career changes.
With declining property values in Bay County successful renewal of this millage will still require considerable belt-tightening by the library. The Library projects a $350,000 budget shortfall next year. Measures are already being taken to cut costs accordingly while minimizing reduction in services to the public.
Current and future employers will be looking for communities with an educated work force. Along with strong and vital schools, a healthy public library system is essential to help meet that demand.
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce hopes you vote "yes" for the library millage renewal.
| Printer Friendly Story View |
|
|
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce |
|
|
|
Printer-Friendly Story View
0200 Nd: 04-15-2024 d 4 cpr 0
12/31/2020 P3v3-0200-Ad.cfm
SPONSORED LINKS
12/31/2020 drop ads P3v3-0200-Ad.cfm