Multnomah County board sniffing around library tax ballot measure
The Multnomah County commissioners are taking a public poll about funding for the county library. It's only mildly pushy compared to some others we've seen, like the howlers from Metro regional government. But it's certainly not shy about covering tax increase options, which are one of the few required answers in the survey:
You can take the survey (we think) here. If you agree with what the commissioners have already decided, you'll hear all about the results in the coming weeks.
| Posted at 4:47 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (12)
I started taking it and like everything else the government does around here, got too offended by the wording which was essentially:
Are you -
Satisfied with the new taxes
Want more new taxes for brand X
Want more new taxes for brand Y
Posted by Leaving soon | July 10, 2012 5:09 PM
Question #9 says it all. No option to turn the entire system over to the Oregon Historical Society, which is where it belongs.
Posted by daveg | July 10, 2012 5:29 PM
Are public libraries now completely outdated? I've worked in academic libraries for a few years, they are frequently used.
What about public libraries?
Posted by Jo | July 10, 2012 6:34 PM
The Albina branch of the Portland public library is heavily, heavily used.
Posted by Jack Bog | July 10, 2012 6:35 PM
Multnomah County Library is one of the most heavily used library systems in the US. I have been a volunteer for over 20 years and have enjoyed every minute. I hope the system will survive.
Posted by Sadie | July 10, 2012 7:51 PM
Albina may be heavily used, but give eBooks a few more years. Once they take effect brick-n-mortar libraries are going to get even more expensive to run.
Remember Tower Records or record stores at all?
Posted by Steve | July 10, 2012 8:42 PM
There has never been a failed bond measure or operating levy in support of the Multnomah County Library.
Private fundraising efforts (Friends of the Library) have always exceeded their targets.
Yet there's never enough money to maintain the hours of operation. Not until they ask for an even larger operating levy (and hours will be DRASTICALLY CUT if it fails), and we hear the oft repeated promise that this levly solve the funding crisis once and for all.
Vote yes, or I'll shoot this BOOK ABOUT PUPPIES.
Posted by Mssr. Tee | July 10, 2012 9:07 PM
It's the county commissioners, currently led by Farquaad Cogen. They know the library is one of the few things the voters love, and so they suck it dry for crap like the new HR palace in the "education urban renewal district." Then the library ladies are at everyone's doors crying for more money. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The library district would solve that problem, which is why Farquaad doesn't really want to let you vote on it.
Posted by Jack Bog | July 10, 2012 9:19 PM
While the Multnomah County Library system does have many patrons it also has fewer branches than most systems serving similar populations. The branches it has tend to be small. So those factors have something to do with making them look "heavily used". Moreover, the circulation figures are pumped up by the fact that each renewal adds one to the figure, so if I were to keep a book or dvd out for a year, it would add 26, even while that particular item in fact wasn't circulating.
Perhaps the most salient fact of all though is that MCL's budget remains among the two or three most generous in the country, even with compression.
Posted by Mike | July 10, 2012 11:39 PM
Mike, the checkout period is three weeks, and so under your extreme and unrealistic scenario, we're talking 17 possible checkout periods per item, not 26.
If an item is on hold for another patron, renewal is not allowed.
The branches it has tend to be small. So those factors have something to do with making them look "heavily used".
They don't just "look" heavily used. They are heavily used. And keeping rent or mortgage payments low is a good thing.
People love the library, and so if you live in Multnomah County you had better resign yourself to paying for it. The only significant question is whether the county should be able to play shell games with the popularity of the institution.
Posted by Jack Bog | July 11, 2012 12:16 AM
Of course people love the library; things that appear to be free are usually popular. But that doesn't mean we need a whole new taxing district.
Library supporters have always been able to get their levies renewed, and there is nothing wrong with keeping that system in place. At least that way, once every 3 or 5 years voters get a chance to re-evaluate the performance of MCL management. They also get a chance to consider changes to the business model, such as modest user fees or competitive contracting for labor.
For 30+ years people have loved TriMet's Fareless Square, but come September, the last remnant of it will disappear. It turns out that giving away expensive services for "free" to a small (and declining) segment of the public is unrealistic. MCL managers should take note.
Posted by John Charles | July 11, 2012 12:51 PM
Jack, if there's a shell game going on then MCL must know which shell the pea is under. Their budget has increased 40% since 2004.
Posted by Mike | July 11, 2012 2:34 PM