Consider other ways to save library
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Editor,
The property taxpayers and residents of North Lake County will begin voting on July 8 to see if they again would like to pay more taxes to support the library. There are several reasons why we should vote “no” on this ballot.
First, we already pay taxes to support the library. Property taxes went up 110 percent just last year - the highest in the state. Have we not had enough already?
Second, the public library is close to being obsolete. With the ever-changing electronic era, we can now access the Internet from our cell phones and read any book, any time any place with e-books. The information available on the Internet is up to date and is widely available at any time - day or night. You don’t have to wait until the library opens at 11 a.m.
Third, the written material available from the public library is grossly outdated. Current material needs to be sent in from a different library and your wait time could be weeks.
It’s time for the library to consider some alternatives to their high-dollar mill levy.
First, the library should charge a nominal fee for computer and Internet use, as the majority of taxpayers have their own setup. Why should we foot the bill for those that who choose not to pay for it themselves?
It’s time the library makes necessary budget cuts and adjustments to exist within the current taxpayer provider funds. A similar proposal came up in the November 2008 general election and was defeated. At that time, they wanted a $10 mill levy. They are asking for even more this year - an $11.14 mill levy. This is even more than the street department’s proposal last month, which was also defeated.
The Public library does not need saving. It’s not going away or closing. The programs that exist now have existed for several years and have done so with the current funding.
This mill levy deserves a rational “no” vote.
Pam Sandall
Polson
