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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-10 03-80 RESOLVEDale: February 10, 2003 Item/Subject: Resolve, supporing LD 278, An Act to Support the Regional Ulwary System Responsible DapaMmeM: City Council The Bangor Public Library serves as a Regional Resource Library serving Northern and Eastern Maine. In this role, It provides considerable services to residents throughout the region. Approwmately 45% of the library's card holders are non -Bangor residents. In addition, the library's large and significant collections make it a major contributor to the irXedibrary loan system, with loans from Bangor Public to other libraries significantly outnumbering loans coming back to Bangor. In recognition of the library's significant regional services, the State of Maine provides and annual appropriation in the range of $125,000 per year. This amount, however, has not been adjusted in thirty years. Dver this period, library expenses have risen vgnifcantly, most recently as a result of its expansion and renovation. Further, the City of Bangor's contribution ro support the library has risen even faster, in part because of fat funding from the State. LD 278 would provide an additional $100,000 per year to Me two Regional Resource Librades— Bangor and Portland — in recognition of the regional role of these facilities and the reality that the taxpayers of Bangor and Portland are, in effect, helping to subsidize regional library services. This issue has been discussed in a variety of settings over the years, most recently at two meetirgs of the Strategic Issues Committee. This resolve has been prepared at the request of the Committee, and I recommend your approval. Department Head Manager's Comments: �Q City Manager AssociaMJ Information: Budget Approval: ��Q� 2 S"� Finance Director Legal Approval adici o Infor X Pass X Passage _ First Reading Page_ of Referral h "AAAAAssigoea to Councilor Allen February 10. 2003 CITY OF BANGOR QITLE.) Resolve, Supporting LO 278, An Act to Support the Regional library System WHEREAS, the Bangor Public Library, the regional reference and resource center for Northeastern Mane, provides materials and infoimadon to libraries and residents within the district; and WHEREAS, in fulfilling this rale, the Bangor Public Library has isamed library cards to more than 22,000 borrowers who reside outside of Bangor, representing approximately 45% of the library's total card holders; and WHEREAS, in calendar year 2002, the Bangor Public library loaned 22,271 volumes through the Interlibrary Loan System while only borrowing 3,981, another strong indication of the level of support provided by the Library ta Individuals and inOtudons throughout the region; and WHEREAS, In recognition of the important regional mle played by the Bangor Public library, the State of Maine currently provides approximately $127,000 in annual support to the library; and WHEREAS, unfortunately, the level of support provided by the State has remained unchanged for thirty years while the costs of providing quality regional Ilbrary services have increased dramatically; and WHEREAS, over the last ten years, library spending has increased! by 66% in large part due to the major expansion and renovadon project needed to meet service demands and the growth in telecommunications services to support its regional Patron base; and WHEREAS, during that same period, financial support from the City of Bangor has increased by 126% due in part to flat Ponding from the State of Maine for the regional services provided by the library; and WHEREAS, a conservative analysis of library costs and utilization clearly indicates that Bangor taxpayers provide a significant subsidy to nm -Bangor library users; and WHEREAS, the Portland Public Library, the slate's other regional resource and reference library, faces similar service and financial demands; and WHEREAS, LO 229, introduced by Representative Blanchette and co-sponsored by Senator Sawyer and Representatives Bliss, Falydotll, Gerzofsky, McWughlin, Norton, O'Brien, and Perry, will provide an additional $100,000 per year W both the Bangor and Portland Libranes in recognition of the costs of prosing Regional library System services and activities. Fe ruar C10. 20 Passed 10. 2003 Passed A live Copy, Attest: CITY CLWR + '®' NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CRY COUNCIL OF THE CRY OF BANGOR, THAT We call upon the Legislature of the State of Maim to adopt and fund LD 2n in recognition of the regional services and support provided by the Bangor and Portland Public libraries and the reality that a significant portion of the cost of such services are now home by the taxpayers of Bangor and Portland. These Regional Libraries are essenhal In providing materials and services W Maine residents living In communities with limited or no library services, and it is fair and equitable that the state Increase its contribution to support a larger share of the costs of regional services. BE R FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT: Copies of this resolve be forwarded to legislators representing Bangor and other communities that receive significant services from the Bangor Public Library; Governor John Baldacci; the Co -Chairs of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations; the City of Portland; other regional CUes and Towns whose residents make substantial use of the Bangor Public Library; the Penobscot County Commission; and the University of Maine. far Passage # 03-50 ¢SS0LVB (TITLE,) a 97R 1� Sappo[t the IlegionalLibra" System AssignaE W Councilor