Libraries remain important
Richard Fulton
Tired of dealing with the continuous political bickering in our country (to which I plead guilty of contributing)? Well, there is a local issue of some importance that all of us should be able to agree upon.
The Maryville Public Library is asking all of us to improve the quality of its services by voting for the property tax increase devoted to the library come April 4.
Voting “yes” on this tax will be to increase in meaningful ways the quality of life in Maryville.
First of all it would allow the library to continue, even expand, it’s vital purpose of aiding and deepening the community’s knowledge and skill base as well as it’s enjoyment. Indeed, the Public Library provides significant opportunities for people of all ages.
In the library’s pre-school children programing many children learn to enjoy reading while expanding their interests. Primary school children utilize the library especially in the summer months as a resource to build and/or expand their reading and comprehension skills. The library has activities and “clubs” for elementary children and teens through out the year.
Research shows that over the summer if there are no activities in areas of basic skills students regress. Reading and comprehension in particular are fundamental to the success of students both in their school years and in their work life later. The library is jumping in the summer.
The Public Library of Maryville provides services in books and in electronic media for teens, young adults and mature adults alike. In all media there were 75,000 check outs last year. Other resources are available such as use of the facility for meetings, providing monitors necessary for people taking professional or other exams for outside entities, and research help.
There is not room to chronicle all the large and small things the library and its staff do. So let’s talk about cost. The library has not received a raise in its levy since 1962. Even before that, in 1904, the levy rate was 15 cents, three cents above the rate the library is asking with its increase.
When was the last time you bought something at 1962’s price?
The present rate is 16.06 cents assessed valuation on property. The levy on the ballot will raise 11.94 cents more. The increase on a $100,000 house amounts to about $22.80 a year. That means the support of the library will cost only 2 per cent of your total assessment bill.
The increase will allow the library to hire a full time children’s librarian, keep up with books and other media, and maintain its beautiful building. Incidentally, the library had to spend $68,000 this year for roof repairs. It’s present levy will not allow the library to sustain this kind of emergency spending. What that means for the library to stay in its present building I do not know.
The library gets no funds from the city and only a pittance from the state. Except for some fund raising all its income is from the property tax levy. A nine member independent board of Maryville citizens oversees the running of the library.
I am on that board and can attest to the fact that it and the library is run superlatively well by the librarian, Stephanie Patterson. I can also attest to the fact that it doesn’t waste a dime of its income.
If you haven’t utilized the services of the library (there are about 6,000 card holders, many of which serve multiple members of the family) I urge you to stop by. Look around, ask Stephanie any questions you might have about the library or the levy.
At the very least you should vote “yes” on the library proposal. After all, it will cost you not too much more than a nice meal out.
No community is complete without a successfully operating public library.
Richard Fulton is an emeritus professor of political science.
