Q & A about Funding Issue 

Q:  What are the funding challenges facing Kitsap Regional Library?

A:  For the last 6 years, the demands for Library service have increased faster than the Library’s revenues to pay for services. The Library has had a 67% increase in active Library users and only a 15.5% (3.1% annually) increase in operating revenue, since 2001.
(updated 02/05/07)

Q: What determines Library funding?

A: The Library is primarily funded through a separate “regular property tax levy”.  This Library levy provides about 95% of the Library District’s funding.  The Library’s levy authority limits the amount to $0.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value.  This authority is also restricted by a state law (RCW 84.55), established in 2002, that limits the amount that the Library District can levy to no more than 1% over the prior year's levy, plus new construction. 

• The 2006 Library Property Tax Levy Rate was $0.36 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
• The 2007 Library Property Tax Levy Rate is $0.30 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
  

Additional information available from the Kitsap County Assessor.

Q: What is driving up the costs?

A: Library usage, and demands for Library services are the primary factor driving costs up.  Since 2001, demands for Library services have increased dramatically:      

• Active Library Users   -- increased 67%
• Circulation of materials -- increased 23%
• Number of Public Computers -- increased 28%
• Total Library Collection -- increased 53%
• Electronic Library Holds -- increased 276%
• Library Database Searches -- increased 341%

Q: What is the Library District doing about the funding problem?

A: The Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees instructed the Library Director to talk with people about the Library services people value, want and need.  The Library surveyed over 1,000 people, conducted 9 town hall meetings, and engaged 43 community leaders to answer some of these questions.  The Library worked with a diverse 16-member Community Advisory Committee, representing business, civic and community leadership from around the county. The Library also conducted a "Library Priorities" survey and held a series of community meetings to explore options to manage the funding issue. 

Q: What has the Library District done to reduce costs and save money?

A: Over the past six years, the Library has implemented numerous cost-saving strategies to reduce the overall cost of providing Library services.  These efforts have enabled the Library to serve the growing number of Library users (67% growth in last six years) with only a 15.5% growth in revenue.  Some of the cost saving efforts include:

• Transition to on-line and self-serve library services
• Reduction of Library senior management staff
• Implementation of a proactive volunteer services program
• Streamlining of library materials processing
• Elimination of LinkNet Email service
• Funding of projects with private donations from the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation and area Friends of the Library organizations
• Development of community partnerships to extend library services at no cost

Q: How are Library dollars spent?

A: Kitsap Regional Library works in partnership with local communities to provide library services.  The communities provide and maintain the facilities, and KRL provides the services, staff, materials and technology to run each library.  Currently, the district owns two of the nine facilities (Sylvan Way, Silverdale).

• Library Staff (Librarians, Circulation, Paging, Collection Management, Administration, Information Technology, Public Relations, and others) – 64%
• Materials (books, movies, subscriptions, etc.) – 13%
• Technology & Capital – 10%
• Misc. (training, supplies, repair & maintenance, professional services) – 13%

Q: My community needs a bigger (or remodeled) Library?  When will this be addressed?

A: Many of the communities in Kitsap are currently discussing building a new library, or making substantial improvements to their current library.  Although library facilities are built and maintained by the local community, larger facilities require more infrastructure and staffing from the Library District.  Given Kitsap Regional Library’s current funding situation, it is necessary for basic library funding to be secured to support county-wide library services BEFORE expanding the demands upon the system by adding additional library facilities or square footage.

Click here for printable handout of the Q and A (PDF file)

For additional information on the funding issues facing the Library, contact Audrey Newell at the Kitsap Regional Library, (360) 405-9133.

KRL Mission Statement:  Kitsap Regional Library serves the community as a center for lifelong learning and a steward of access to stories, information and knowledge

Board of Trustees: Jackie Aitchison, North Kitsap Representative (President); Teresa McDermott, Central Kitsap Representative (Vice President);

Anna Laurie, Bremerton Representative; Gail Mathison, South Kitsap Representaive; Althea Paulson, Bainbridge Island Representative