KRL - Q and A about Funding Issue

Q & A about Funding Issue

Since being established in 1955, Kitsap Regional Library has been a cherished community asset. As the community has grown and changed, Library services have changed as well. Today’s KRL Libraries are busier than ever, while funding to support them has not kept pace.

For the last 5 years, the demands for Library service have increased five times faster than the Library’s revenues to pay for services. Since 2001, the Library has had a 62% increase in registered Library borrowers and only a 12% increase in operating revenue.

2001 - 2005 Statistics

Registered Library Borrowers – 62% increase
(171,000 Active Library Card Holders, 71% of the Kitsap Population)

Circulation of Library Materials – 17% increase

Number of Public Computers – 28% increase

Electronic Holds Requested – 394% increase

Commercial Database Searches – 523% increase

Library Operating Revenues – 12% increase

The increased demand, and limited funding, has significantly strained the Library system and infrastructure. For the past five years, the Library has implemented system-wide efficiencies and focused dollars on direct-service support. With a relatively flat operating budget, the Library has had to draw-down the KRL General Fund Reserves to maintain service standards in 2006, and will use the remaining reserves to fund operations in 2007.

The KRL Board of Trustees has formed a Community Advisory Committee to help assess a variety of funding-related issues. A series of “Great Libraries Discussions” with Library Director, Jill Jean, are planned for early February (see schedule) and community members are being asked to submit their opinions and ideas for addressing the Library’s funding issue through a “Funding Survey”.

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: Althea Paulson, 2005/2006 Bainbridge Island Representative; Paul Drotz, 2005 South Kitsap Representaive;

Jackie Aitchison, 2005/2006North Kitsap Representative; Teresa McDermott, 2005/2006 Central Kitsap Representative;

Tim Quigley, 2005 Bremerton Representative; Anna Laurie, 2006 Bremerton Representative