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The Library Issue
Curtis Memorial Library and the town of Harpswell: myth
vs. reality
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Op-Ed Essay on Library
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Other Pages in this Section
Library FAQ
Times-Record: CML & Harpswell
More:Burr's comments about library |
| Curtis Memorial Library and the town
of Harpswell: myth vs. reality |
|
letters@TimesRecord.Com |
| 02/25/2005 |
By Burton W. Taylor Jr., Times Record Contributor
Since 1970, the Curtis Memorial Library and the residents of Harpswell
have enjoyed a rocky but mutually beneficial relationship. In return
for a relatively modest contribution, Harpswell has had the services
of a first rate library.
Three and a half years ago, Curtis decided that Harpswell's
contribution should more accurately reflect the usage of the library
by its citizens. It said that since Harpswell's usage of the library
was about 17 percent of the municipal funding (Brunswick and
Harpswell), Harpswell's share of municipal funding should slowly
increase to 10 percent, but not higher. This year the request was for
9.5 percent of municipal funding, amounting to $95,918.
Unfortunately, our Budget Advisory Committee recommended to the
selectmen that funding for Curtis Library should be $0.00 this year,
but that $50,000 be appropriated for library cards for Harpswell's
permanent and summer residents. Selectmen Theberge and Weil agreed
with this recommendation. Chairman Knight is recommending full funding
at $95,918.
In the following paragraphs, I would like to respond to some of the
concerns of people who favor zero funding for the library.
The library insists on Harpswell paying 10 percent. They have a
take-it-or-leave-it approach and are unwilling to negotiate. The
library is seeking equity, and has said they think that 10 percent
(9.5 percent this year) is equitable and fair in return for 17 percent
of the library usage. I do not understand what there is to negotiate.
It is already a bargain!
The library's budget has increased sharply each year. For the last
five years the library's budget has increased by an average of less
than 4 percent a year. This year's budget increase is 3 percent.
Harpswell's share has increased more rapidly in order to reach the
library's goal of 10 percent. This rapid increase will end next year
when 10 percent is reached, if we stay as a partner.
Harpswell will have to pay more and more every year. In fact, the
opposite is probably true. As private giving continues to increase
(grants, annual fund, endowment, gifts), the municipal share will
decrease.
Zero funding will benefit those hit hardest by the tax increases this
year. My home is on the water. I expect to be hit hard by the property
revaluations. However, the library request represents only about 1
percent of Harpswell's budget.
The library would not make an agreement with the town. The library
wrote a memorandum of understanding and delivered it to the selectmen
in January 2004. After apparently ignoring it for 11 months, the
selectmen finally announced in December that they were not interested
in an agreement.
The town has no control over the library budget. Harpswell has its
town meeting, it has two residents on the library board and the town
administrator is an ex officio member of the board.
The library is not willing to reach out to Harpswell with additional
services. In the memorandum of understanding, the library offered
several services, including providing home delivery to housebound
residents and setting collection depots at places of the town's
choosing.
Appropriating $50,000 to pay for library cards for Harpswell residents
will be cheaper than paying the request of $95,918 and provide the
necessary services we need. Currently, cards are $65 each. That would
be $98,280 for the 1,512 cardholders of July 1, 2004. That is not much
of a saving off $95,918. When the cost of a card goes up significantly
with Harpswell's withdrawal, that savings will turn into a very big
loss. Try the math at $75 or $85 or even $95 per card! Also, the
library provides many more services to Harpswell residents than merely
the ability to take out books.
The library only benefits a limited number of people. On July 1, 2004,
there were 1,512 Harpswell cardholders. This represents 1 out of every
3 of the 5,123 men, women and children in Harpswell.
The town has two local libraries. With interlibrary loans and the
Internet, Harpswell does not need Curtis Memorial Library. Our local
libraries fill an important niche. They provide meeting places when
they are open and specialize in modern fiction, children's books and
videos. However, 1,512 cardholders seem to say more is needed.
There is no library on Harpswell Neck. Probably Curtis Memorial
Library is closer for residents of Harpswell Neck than either the
Cundy's Harbor or Orr's Island libraries.
Furthermore, local libraries are expensive. Cundy's Harbor library
requested $11,000 from the town this year. That's about $2.75 per
item. If we terminate our relationship with Curtis, our local
libraries will become more expensive because they will have to pay for
services Curtis now provides as part of our agreement.
Curtis Memorial's request comes to less than a dollar per item plus
all its valuable services. Now, that's a bargain!
Burton W. Taylor Jr. lives in Harpswell. |
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