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:
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City Manager
AssociaMJ Information:
Budget Approval: ��Q�
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Finance Director
Legal Approval
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X Pass
X Passage
_ First Reading Page_ of
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"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 +
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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
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