All Local, All The Time

Library advocates push for the city and county to consider a library district

With the move down to the yellow zone, many businesses and organizations have been able to open up, in spite of COVID. But one that is still struggling to open are the libraries throughout Boulder County.

Those institutions--in Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Boulder--are all municipal libraries, which are funded by city budgets. Unlike the library districts in the surrounding areas of Fort Collins, Weld County, and Broomfield, many libraries in Boulder County remain closed for in person services.

"Boulder took a bigger hit in its budget, and they had to do big cuts," said Joni Teter, founder of the Boulder Library Champions (BLC). "The library got a disproportionate cut, as a result of that, the library lost a very large proportion of its workforce... [about 66 people were terminated], now 50 of those folks are part-time, even though they've worked for the library for years...The library can't recover quickly."

Juana Gomez, another member of BLC and a current Boulder Library Commissioner elaborated, saying, "It's great that we have fewer restrictions of how many people can be in the building, but there's no budget for funding opening... Branch libraries will continue to be closed."

They explained that historically, municipal libraries often suffer more than other public institutions when budget cuts are made. This is ironic given that when there's an economic downturn, the demand for free library services goes up. Many libraries offer free computer access; people who can help with job searches, resume help and who offer workshops, and more. Near the beginning of the pandemic, the Boulder Library Foundation, Boulder Public Library and BVSD partnered to hand out wifi hotspots to provide internet to 225 households (see photo).

But with library branches continuing to be closed--largely due to budget limitations--these resources, that are much needed by the community, are severely depleted.

That is why the BLC has been pushing for the creation of a library district. "The question of forming a library district goes back to 1997," said Teter. She believes that a district is the best way for the library to get a sustainable source of funding. "Library districts are funded by property taxes, which are more stable, and so that's why some of these other places [like Fort Collins and the High Plains Library District in Weld County] are able to recover more quickly."

However, not only would the already-established branches be able to reopen and better serve the community, it's possible and likely they could expand. Teter also said there's been financial modeling that shows branches in Gunbarrel and Niwot are a possibility, but a more realistic one under a district model.

Colorado allows for two ways of forming a library district--through a vote of residents or through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). In 2019, the BLC circulated a petition that qualified the issue to go to the ballot, but with COVID, that move was postponed and the petition is still valid for this year. "But we would much prefer to form the district by resolution, because that way the community is much better informed about how the district will function," said Teter.

Furthermore, if the council and commissioners do decide to go the IGA route, community members will still vote on funding. However, it's worth noting that at the study session last week, the council took a straw poll about putting the funding question on this year's ballot--five members said no.

The BLC expressed hope that the district will be formed this year, with a funding vote scheduled, for 2022; that's why April's hearing will be so pivotal for their cause. At this meeting, the city council will decide if they will move forward with forming a district

"I know the people of Niwot and Gunbarrel are really excited. Niwot's been really vocal with library matters," said Gomez. "We would love to see participation [at the upcoming public hearing in April]."

April's public hearing on forming a library district will be pivotal to their mission. It will be the first public hearing ever and community members will be able to come forward to express their needs and concerns.

Initial concerns about the formation of the district were emotional reactions to proposed change. But, as Gomez pointed out, "It's the same community that gets to keep the library, the difference is governance isn't dire because city council and the county commissioners still get to appoint the library board if it were a library district...[The district would still be] paid for by the same people and used by the same people."

Another initial concern was over who would own and raise the money for new buildings. Teter said in looking at other districts, about half of the communities signed over building titles to the new district while others have "leased" buildings, often for low, annual payments.

"Boulder has not had the revenue to keep its buildings up, there's a backlog on city facilities," she said. "We try to do so many things that the city is having trouble paying for everything. [The library] has to compete for so many priorities." If a district were established, she and Gomez argue, library buildings would likely be better maintained. In fact, should the district be formed and funding be produced through the district rather than municipal funds, an estimated $9 million or more would be saved by the city.

Since it's apparent that the community would still be using the library like before, and that the buildings would not have to compete for funding, both of these initial concerns ought to be assuaged.

Even so, if community members do have additional concerns, questions, or comments, they can go to the library's resources and/or go to the public hearing in April.

For more information about the Boulder Library Champions, the website is: https://www.boulderlibrarychampions.org. They offer opportunities to volunteer as well as sign up for updates

For more information about the Boulder Public Library's Funding Needs, visit: https://boulderlibrary.org/funding/

For more information about the Boulder Library Foundation and it's work, visit: https://boulderlibraryfoundation.org

 

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