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Plans underway to reduce expenses, increase revenue, 2009-2010 In these tough economic times, families and businesses are making changes, and the library is no exception. Learn what type of changes are being planned and how three Rs can lessen the impact on you.   No Tax Increase. We are spending less. The proposed budget of $13,175,350 for fiscal year 2010 is based on a flat mil rate of 8.999, the same as in 2009. In preparation for FY 2010 the library has also revised the FY2009 budget eliminating $1 million in expenditures. The link to the proposed 2010 budget is here. For those who don’t have internet access, there is also a copy at the Reference Desk. The Board of Trustees will vote on the budget at the August 13 meeting, after the Public Hearing scheduled at 5:30 pm. All Trustee meetings are open to the public. The library is funded primarily by Ad Valorem Property Tax and because valuations have gone down, we are anticipating a reduction in revenue in 2010. In these situations, you have two choices. You may reduce expenses and/or increase revenues. We are doing both. With reduced funding, there is a need to generate a new source of revenue. We’re still here for you. Library continues to be open 78 hours a week. The library staff has carefully and thoughtfully analyzed revenue options, and has affirmed its mission (Your place. Stories you want. Information you need. Connections you seek.) to serve the community with no reduction in hours of service. During tough economic times, public libraries are essential and used more than ever, supporting those who are affected by workforce reductions. We are committed to helping sustain our community by supporting the needs for information, job skill training, personal financial management and affordable entertainment. Late fees on library materials With an anticipated start date of October 1, 2009, library materials that are returned late will be assessed a late fee. We have not determined an amount, but it will be reasonable and in line with what other public libraries charge. The decision to implement fees is also an added value. Now library users who need to keep their books, etc. past the due date may do so, but they will pay for that extra time. Return on time, Receive Reminders and Renew No one has to pay late fees. We have a number of avenues to help you avoid late fees. Remember the three Rs: return on time, signup to receive reminders by email, and renew your materials online or by using our renewal hotline, 785-580-4424.   Meeting Room user fees The library is a community gathering place and more than 8,000 meetings were held at the library in 2008. Non-profit, educational and governmental groups have used the facility at no cost. Corporate customers have always paid for their use of the library meeting rooms. The library is considering charges for equipment and stage set-ups in our meeting rooms. Delivery of materials by mail fee There are many ways to get library materials including receiving the materials by mail. This practice is essential to providing library materials and we have a system that works very well. The implementation of a mailing fee for this service is underway, and will be announced soon.   http://www.tscpl.org/about/comments/plans_underway_to_reduce_expenses_increase_revenue_2009-2010/