State librarian: No dog in city fight

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“The grant application indicates that this was 45 percent of the cost of the $400,000 project,” he said in the letter.

In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon, Sheppke repeated what he said in the letter, mainly that charging the library rent would be inconsistent with the arrangements between cities and counties and other library districts.

Sheppke said when the ownership of the library “changed hands,” most other cities and counties saw fit to give the building to the newly-formed district.

“I think they do that because they realize the library building doesn’t really belong to them,” he said.

Sheppke said he believes the library belongs to the community and that, when a city or county gives the building to the new district, the city or county allows itself to focus its attention on other city needs, benefiting both sides.

“The right thing to do is just give the building to the new unit of local government,” he said.

The fact that Ontario city government has not reached the same conclusion as many other cities regarding use of the library building seems “strange.”

In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon, Ontario City Council member David Sullivan said he believed charging the library district rent has nothing to do with not allowing the building to function as a library.

“I don’t know why the state librarian is even getting involved,” he said.

Ontario City Council member Charlotte Fugate, who knows Sheppke personally because of their involvement with the Oregon State Heritage Commission, said she was a little surprised about Sheppke getting involved in “local politics.”

“But I’m pretty sure it’s because the library board went to him,” she said.

In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon, Sheppke said he has been updated on issues regarding the newly-formed library district and has been consulted on issues since the library board was attempting to create its own district.

“We’ve been in frequent conversations,” he said.

Last week, Ontario City Council member Norm Crume said that just because other cities have opted to give their buildings away doesn’t mean Ontario should. Ontario Mayor Joe Dominick has also referred to the importance of the city protecting its asset.

Though city officials have continued to maintain that $5,000 a month in rent is a flexible figure, Sheppke expressed the same opinion brought forth by Ontario Public Library District Budget Committee Chairman Paul Erlebach last month, which is that money could be used to fund other library needs.

“If the library district has to use some of their limited budget to pay rent, they may not be able to buy as many books or have as many programs,” Sheppke said.

Ontario resident Joe Maldonado, 47, also cited books and programs as one reason he did not believe the city should  charge an “unreasonable” amount of rent to the newly-formed district. He also found fault with the fact that the city will be placing some of the money into the general fund.

“It just seems like the city is just trying to get a hold of the money and use it for something else,” he said.

Library district voters can secure an opportunity to deliver feedback on the issue during a town hall session at 6:30 Thursday at Four Rivers Cultural Center.