Submitted photo Kids test handcrafted boats in a wading pool for one of Liberty Lake library’s summer reading program activities, which were based on the program’s water theme this year. More News March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run In Gear for Good Kramer puts integrity first at Christian Brothers City commissions offer chance to serve, enhance community When Danetta “Dg” Garcia’s bid for a Liberty Lake City Council seat fell short, she didn’t give up on the idea of serving the city she calls home. TT's Brewery and Barbecue Expands to Neighborhood Liberty Lake Location In the smoky realm of barbecue, TT's BBQ has carved a niche for itself as a beacon of mouth watering flavors and culinary expertise for both their beer and food. Daughters of The American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890. HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement. Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam. Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City. At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project. Council social media training degenerates into confrontation Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting. Central Valley School District Prop. 1 Eat, Shop, and Be Merry Water Works 2023 Candidate Guide Sporting in Liberty Lake Closing the Chasm Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023 2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming! Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide! Public Safety Raised to New Level Parks and Art Commission Looking Ahead to 2023 Eat, Shop and Be Merry New city administrator Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map! Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!! Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates Pavillion Park You Are Invited Destination Liberty Lake Liberty Lake's Lego Home Making and Impact 2022

Search the News Archive

Usage up, budget down
9/1/2010 9:42:39 AM

By Hailey Rile
Splash Intern

As of this week, Liberty Lake Municipal Library patrons who live outside the city will need to pay when getting a new library card, and all patrons will be charged for inter-library loan requests.

The new charges are part of the library's efforts to cut back in tough economic times - yet continue to meet the community's growing needs, library staff said.

In 2010, the library has been in a savings mode, cutting $24,000 of the library's annual operations budget of more than $400,000, Library Director Pamela Mogen said. The current cutbacks affected books and supplies and other expenses. The library also shuffled and shaved down employee hours, saving an additional $21,000, Mogen said.

"I'm hoping that's all the cuts we are going to have to do for this year," Mogen said. "We are now focused on 2011. That could involve cutting hours as well as cutting staff."

Advertisement

The library's financial challenges reflect the overall budget crunch in the city of Liberty Lake. The city, facing an estimated $700,000 shortfall for 2011, is looking at cutting back services, including in the library's budget, and also adding new revenue streams.

The irony of the library's budget challenge is that when the economy falters, library usage typically rises. In Liberty Lake, circulation numbers have skyrocketed since the economic dip, Mogen said. She estimates that 104,800 library items will be checked in and out in 2010, compared to 28,800 items in 2005.
 

New library charges As of this week, the Liberty Lake Municipal Library will charge a fee for inter-library loan requests and new non-resident library cards, according to a decision made by the library board in response to the budget crunch. Inter-library loans: $3, except for school-related needs Non-resident cards: $30 per person or $50 for a family. Exceptions include non-resident patrons age 5 to 18, those with a current student identification card, non-residents with current library cards who don't allow them to expire, Liberty Lake Elementary teachers, city employees and library volunteers For more information: Contact Library Director Pamela Mogen at 435-0777 or library@libertylakewa.gov Library by the numbers 8,500 Square feet in library 6 Days open a week 28,000 Rough number of items available 10 Full-and part-time employees 1.5 Years at current location

Meeting the community's needs
The library strives to stay relevant to the community, despite budget challenges, Mogen said.

The library offers a wide array of services and events for all age groups, including story times, movie release parties, book clubs, arts and crafts events for children and providing space for outside groups to meet.

Local children's artwork currently adorns the walls inside the library. As part of a juried art show, which Mogen plans to have twice a year, children are able to showcase their art for free.

The library is home to a Job and Career Center made possible by a $20,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in coordination with The Institute for Museum and Library Science. The purpose of the grant was to help people find jobs, update skills and retrain those wanting to change career paths.

"I think we have had pretty good use of the materials in the job center," Mogen said.

The Job and Career Center is outfitted with three computers loaded with resume and job help software, books, audio books and DVDs, free printing and more.

The grant also helped furnish the library's meeting room with a new projection system, speakers, half a dozen laptops and a charging cart that made the room capable of hosting classes either live or via computer.

"With as devastating as this economic downturn has been in people's lives," Mogen said, "the library certainly has to step up and use whatever resources we can muster to help people."

An item that Mogen says will be one of the last to cut is the Tutor.com resource. The nationwide program offers homework help to students in preschool to college by providing access to tutors and librarians live via the Internet. The resource has now expanded to helping adult learners and job searchers.

One service that may be on the chopping block, Mogen said, is the library's ability to offer multiple forms of an item. Instead of purchasing the regular version of a new book as well as the large-print and audio versions, the library may have to purchase just one.

Funding for the library
Funding for the library's operations comes from a portion of the property taxes collected in the city of Liberty Lake. The current property tax rate in Liberty Lake is $1.55 per $1,000 of assessed value; of that $1.55 amount, 50 cents is now budgeted for the library, city staff said.

City staff has prepared budget proposals for 2011, which will be reviewed by the mayor and presented to the City Council in the near future. With necessary cuts for 2011, most services should be maintained, but the city likely will face a shortfall again in 2012, Mayor Wendy Van Orman said.

"Economists are saying that the current state of the economy is our new norm," Van Orman said. "I'm hoping they are somewhat wrong."

The library also is supported by other groups, such as the Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library, a volunteer fundraising group. The group's efforts help the library put on events, such as the annual Halloween party and the children's summer reading program, which had 650 kids registered this year.

President of the Friends group, Giff Marleau, said she was surprised that the group hasn't seen a significant decrease in donations. The book sale the group held in March was one of the largest so far, and they're planning another in October.

Another community group is working to establish a library foundation that would target the allocation of funds for capital investments. Separate from the Friends of the Library, the group is in the preliminary stages and is trying to achieve a 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

Looking ahead to future
With the current budget challenge, the library is getting a reality check on long-term plans, such as the future goal of a new library and community center.

"It's not going to be in my 10-year (plan) that anything new is going to happen," Mogen said. "Unless some fabulously wealthy benefactor realizes how much we need something like that and is willing to step forward."

In 2008, voters soundly defeated a proposed $9.8 million bond to build a community center and library. "Plan B" was the purchase of the combined police and library building at 23123 E. Mission Ave. In March 2009, the library moved into 8,500 square feet, about triple its previous space. At the time, city leaders said the space would be the library's interim home.

In a recent interview with The Splash, Mayor Van Orman said it likely would be the library's permanent location.

"We really appreciate the space that we're in," Mogen said. "It's beautiful and it's plenty of room for us right now."

Still, Mogen said she feels the library has the potential of being part of something bigger.

There have been continuing talks of having a historical archive room inside the library that would include climate control, preservation containers and historical furniture. A media center also has been considered in which patrons would be able to create things on the computer.

"In the future I really believe we are going to need more space," Mogen said. "Plus, the library's mission is really not completed by this building."

Splash photo by Hailey Rile Larissa Heckathorn, with sons Eban and Ulrich

A patron's view

Larissa Heckathorn: It's nice to have a place that I can bring my sons for quiet time. It's another form of entertainment for them that doesn't have to be naptime.

Q: How often do you visit the Liberty Lake library?

A: I try to go at least two to three times a week. I also go to another library.

Q: Why do you choose to come to the Liberty Lake library?

A: It has a large children's area for the kids to play in. If he [Eban] doesn't just want to read a book, there is other stuff for him to do. I really like the floor mat with the letters on it. I can help him [Eban] spell out words with it. We have also come to events for children, such as a scavenger hunt and a bowling event.

Q: Is there anything you think the library could also be doing to meet the needs of the community?

A: I think that it's right on the dot for meeting my family's needs. As I understand, the community could help the library in meeting the library's needs.

- Hailey Rile

Copyright © 2024 The Liberty Lake Splash | Print Page