KRL - Q and A about Funding Issue

Q & A about Funding Issue

Q: Why does Kitsap Regional Library have a funding problem?

A: 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.

Q: Why doesn’t the Library have enough money to run the Libraries?

A: Costs to meet the increasing demands for basic library services are expected to increase by about 7% a year, while revenues are expected to increase by about 2.5% a year.

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, established in 2002, that limits property tax increases on existing property to no more than 1% more than the amount collected the previous year.

The 2007 Library Property Tax Levy Rate is estimated at $0.30 per thousand dollars of assessed value.

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:

Registered Borrowers -- increased 62%
Circulation of materials -- increased 17%
Number of Public Computers -- increased 28%
Total Library Collection -- increased 33%
Electronic Library Holds -- increased 394%
Library Database Searches -- increased 523%

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

A: The Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees has directed the Library Director to talk with people about the Library services people value, want and need. Already, the Library has surveyed over 1,000 people, conducted 9 town hall meetings, and engaged 43 community leaders to answer some of these questions. Currently, the Library is working with a 16-member Community Advisory Committee, and is planning a public survey and 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 five 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 (62% growth in last five years) with only a 12% 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 – 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.

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: 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