Library waits on tax revenues to make changes
By: Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 10:39 AM PDT
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| Larry Meyer | Argus Observer
The Ontario library is now operated by an independent district, which officially came into being July 1, but, because it will not collect revenue until after November, changes will come slow. |
ONTARIO—Officials of the new Ontario Library District are moving ahead slowly with plans to extend hours and staff as they wait for property tax revenue to arrive later this fall.
Still, library officials concede they will not know exactly how much money they will have to work with until the property tax cash infusion. Until then, library patrons will see little change in operations.
“July 1, the district came into being.” Darlyne Johnson, head librarian said, during a presentation to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce at its Monday forum. “We are there for the community.”
Noting the library originally opened in 1906, Johnson said, “We’ve been there a long time.”
Interest in the library has climbed, Johnson said.
“Usership has been up,” she said.
About 800 to 1,000 people have been coming through the door during any given week.
“Still being in the start-up mode, there are no plans to extend the hours the library is open to the public until December or later,” she said.
Property tax revenue is not collected until after the notices go out in November. Library officials are looking to have about $400,000 to work with, Johnson said.
When hours are increased it will be done in small increments, Johnson said, possibly five hours after December. The goal is still to expand hours to 54. Johnson gave a lot of credit to volunteers who work at the library.
A good example of library interest revolves around the summer reading program. Johnson said more than 300 children signed up for the summer reading agenda, and at least 100 children were in the facility participating in some of the related activities provided. Volunteers came in and helped with the activities and some put on programs for the children.
“We have 18 computers,” Johnson said. The 1998-vintage computers are being replaced with the help of Friends of the Ontario Library.
Those computers, used by the staff, cannot operate the new system being set up by the state, she said.
The bookmobile is still operating, visiting the nursing home and assisted living facilities in the district, as well as the rural schools in the district, which includes the Ontario School District. With funding assistance from the county the book mobile also travels to Jordan Valley, Arock, Willow Creek and Annex.
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