dunkirk library district initiative power point2
TRANSCRIPT
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
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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
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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
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WHERE WE STAND
Our staff has been severely depletedForced to cut full time computer staff in Feb. 2013More times than not, staff members work 2 or more
hours alone with little time for patron one-on-one helpMaintenance staff hours have also been cut
Funding has gone down while costs have gone upRise in minimum wage Increased costs of technology, books and periodicals,
utilities and building maintenance
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DUNKIRK NEEDS OUR LIBRARY
In 2014Over 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 programsOur public computers were used 17,381 times
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DUNKIRK NEEDS OUR LIBRARY
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
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DUNKIRK NEEDS OUR LIBRARY
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
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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 5 library trustees Each petitions to get on the ballot
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LIBRARY DISTRICT IS THE ANSWER
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
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LIBRARY DISTRICT IS THE ANSWER
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
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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
www.dunkirk.fundourlibraries.org
The vast majority of funding comes from the City
Lost 25% since 2011
Raise some funding
Significantly depleted our reserve to balance budget
OUR NUMBERS TODAY
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COMMUNITY-BASED FUNDING
Our community-based funding will amount to 83 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the City of
Dunkirk 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the Town
of Dunkirk $1.03 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the
Town of Sheridan
For a home assessed at $50,000, you would pay $41.50 annually for the Library 80 cents per week—way less than the cost of a cup
of coffee per week
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PERCENTAGE OF ALL CITY TAXES PAID
For school district residents who live in the city, the Library’s community based funding would amount to 1.4% of all your taxes
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PERCENTAGE OF ALL TOWN TAXES PAID
For school district residents who live in the town, the Library’s community based funding would amount to 2.6% of all your taxes
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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
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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
www.dunkirk.fundourlibraries.org
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
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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
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WHERE AND WHEN
The vote to create the Library District will be on the Tuesday, June 23rd
Voting will take place from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Library
Absentee ballots are available.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.dunkirk.fundourlibraries.org Janice Dekoff, Library Director
366-2511 [email protected]