County funding to libraries to remain consistent

Local News

Discussion

January 29, 2010

By Steve Woodhouse

The Marion County Board of Supervisors intends to provide the same level of funding to the five public libraries in the county for the next fiscal year.

County Auditor Jake Grandia said the current county budget being assembled has a consistent level of funding to each library. Board Chairman Howard Pothoven echoed Grandia, telling those in attendance at Monday’s regular meeting that the board does not intend to raise or cut library funding. Prior to the elected officials’ statements, Pella Library Director Wendy Street presented the board with a 2009 report on the libraries. The libraries are funded by the county based on circulation. Here is a circulation breakdown of the libraries in 2009:

Pella-42,935, or 54 percent

Knoxville-26,082, or 33 percent

Pleasantville-8,070, or 10 percent

Bussey-1,405, or 2 percent

Melcher-Dallas-1,108, or 1 percent.

County funding for the libraries in 2009:

Pella-$37,840, or 47 percent

Knoxville-$24,645, or 31 percent

Pleasantville-$9,370, or 12 percent

Bussey-$4,105, or 5 percent

Melcher-Dallas, $4,040, or 5 percent.

Street told the supervisors that Pella’s library had a 10 percent increase in business last year and increased attendance to its programs. Knoxville also saw an increase, according to Library Director Roslin Thompson.

Thompson said many used the library’s Internet services for job searches. Bussey Library Director Betty Schmaltz told the supervisors that many people in the Bussey area have disconnected their home Internet service to cuts costs. They also come to the library.

In addition to funding from the city and county governments, private donations to the libraries are accepted. Other sources of funding for the libraries in 2009 totaled:

Bussey-$8,895

Knoxville-$306,946

Melcher-Dallas-$10,370

Pella-$496,707

Pleasantville-$115,630