Libraries Together
Bettendorf Davenport LeClaire Scott County
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Libraries Together Bettendorf Davenport LeClaire Scott County
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Bettendorf Public Library: Faye Clow, director. 563/344-4183 Davenport Public Library: LaWanda Roudebush, director. 563/326-7837 LeClaire Community Library: Kim Kietzman, director. 563/289-2788 Scott County Library System: Pam Collins, director. 563/285-4794 Consensus: Jennifer Wilding, project director. 816/531-5078 (media only)
Scott County public libraries release the final Libraries Together report on options for action
(January 11, 2006) The four libraries in Scott County today released the last of six reports of their Libraries Together project. The report, "Weighing the Options: Libraries in Scott County, Iowa," provides an analysis of three distinct options for action in how libraries are funded and governed and how services are provided. The final report marks the end of the first phase of Libraries Together, and the beginning of the next, as library directors, boards and community members determine what actions to take. The second phase began on January 27, 2006, at a retreat held by the four directors of public libraries in Scott County, who will develop a plan of action. Once approved by their boards of trustees, the libraries will release the plan of action to the public. The libraries kicked off Libraries Together on March 1, 2005. The ten-month study used public input to plan for the future. As Iowa searches for ways to deliver all government services more efficiently, the libraries initiated the study to allow Scott County library patrons to help shape the directions their libraries will take over the next several decades. The final report offers options for future library service and details the most likely community response to each option. While there are a number of possible changes to library governance and service delivery, the report identifies three distinct options and details stakeholder response to each. The three options include:
1. The libraries could collaborate more. The libraries already work together in several areas and are recognized as leaders in collaboration in the state of Iowa. Most of the groups of stakeholders agree that collaboration is the best option. They say the goal of collaboration is to increase the quality of service rather than to provide greater efficiency. While some people in Scott County see collaboration as a step toward a unified library, others think the libraries should find ways to work together without unifying into one. There is a strong feeling among library staff and trustees that collaboration should be voluntary rather than mandated. 2. The libraries could unify into one library. The supporters of a unified library system believe all citizens of Scott County should have the same quality of library services at the same tax rate. A unified system could be supported by a library tax approved directly by the voters. This would be an advantage because the municipal libraries currently compete with other city services for funding. Many say if libraries were being started from scratch, a unified system would be the way to go. However, they say with the current system the way it is, a unified system is politically impossible. For one thing, it would require a change in state law. Additionally, some stakeholders fear a unified system would take away the individual character and unique services of the separate libraries. 3. The libraries could operate more independently. Many people in Scott County see a great difference between urban and rural libraries in the county, and they value the unique character of each individual library. Yet almost across the board, they view the libraries becoming more independent as a "step backward." They value reciprocal borrowing and they are not willing to give it up. Library patrons in Scott County use libraries other than the ones to which they pay taxes, and they are willing to let anyone use their library services as well. Moving toward independence might mean non-resident borrowers would be asked to pay for services. There is very little support for this option.
Other findings This report also discusses some issues affecting the delivery of library services in Scott County. Among its key findings: § Collaboration among the libraries in Scott County is unusually strong because they have a history of collaboration through membership in an Illinois-based consortium and because of the efforts of the four current librarians. While some have suggested the collaboration currently in place and plans for working together in the future could be a statewide model, the libraries of Scott County have some unique characteristics that make them distinct from other parts of the state.§ The libraries have benefited from belonging to a regional consortium of Illinois libraries. Scott County libraries belong to the Prairie Area Library System [PALS], which includes 26 counties (23 in Illinois and three in Iowa) and 390 member libraries of a variety of types. PALS provides its members with van delivery, continuing education, communications, and committee activity. Through PALS, libraries also contract for access to Quad-LINC, an automated circulation system.§ The State of Iowa wants libraries (and other local governmental services) to find ways to collaborate, but is not doing as much as it could to help them do so. The Consensus team has suggested that the state work with library leaders and citizens to create a vision for libraries in the state and to implement reforms that will make that vision achievable. It may be necessary to change state laws and funding practices, especially because the state of Iowa provides much less state funding than the national average. The national average for the state contribution to its libraries’ per-capita operating income in 2002 was $3.61; Iowa state government’s contribution of $.76 ranked 30th in the nation. Of all state libraries, only one – Texas – spent less per capita than the State Library of Iowa in FY 2002.§ Libraries in Scott County vary in quality. The HAPLR Index, which combines input and output measures into a system that ranks libraries based on a weighted score, ranks Bettendorf in the 97th percentile and Davenport and the Scott County Library System in the 47th percentile. A Libraries Together survey of Scott County residents found that the libraries received different "grades" from users. Bettendorf was granted an "A" grade by 71 percent of its users. The Scott County Eldridge library received an "A" from 62 percent. LeClaire got an "A" from 59 percent. Davenport’s main library received an "A" from 42 percent, with many people citing parking problems.§ Taxpayers pay different amounts for library services. The amount paid per person ranges from $27 to $69, while the tax rate based on an average property varies from $28 to $111. If a countywide property tax were adopted, Davenport and LeClaire taxpayers would pay less while Bettendorf and other Scott County communities would pay more.§ Residents consider reciprocal borrowing a sacred cow. Scott County libraries have reciprocal borrowing agreements, which give patrons the ability to borrow materials for free from any of the four libraries. Many citizens erroneously believe that libraries everywhere allow this practice. They highly value reciprocal borrowing and are not willing to give it up. Some members of the public are skeptical that it costs money when they borrow materials and few support charging patrons what it costs.The state program, Open Access, originally funded reciprocal borrowing at $.80 per item. It currently reimburses at about $.30 per item. While funding for Open Access increased 8 percent between 1999 and 2005, public demand for reciprocal borrowing drove the number of transactions up by 49 percent. The average cost to an Iowa library for each transaction is between $1 and $2, according to an analysis by the state library, although library directors believe the real cost is higher. In Scott County, the cost per circulation—total circulation divided by operating costs—ranges from $3.30 to $5.25. § Scott County residents regularly use libraries they do not pay taxes to support. Of Bettendorf cardholders, almost one-quarter had visited the Davenport Main Library in the last year. Almost half of Davenport card holders and around three-fourths of LeClaire cardholders had visited the Bettendorf library within the last year. Of cardholders in the Scott County Library System, almost half had visited Bettendorf and a little more than 40 percent had visited the Davenport Main Library.§ Many Scott County stakeholders believe library services should be free to anyone who wants to use them, no matter whether they pay taxes to that library. However, most members of the public do not know how library tax rates are set and how much they pay for services compared to people in other library service areas.
This first phase of Libraries Together was designed to give county residents an opportunity to review the facts, consider the various options and consequences of action, and identify which options they prefer. The public was involved through two surveys and a series of public meetings. The study was conducted by Consensus, a Kansas City-based non-profit organization with 20 years of experience garnering public input to guide public policy. Among Consensus team members is Thomas Hennen, director of the Waukesha County Federated Library System in Wisconsin and author of the HAPLR Index, which rates the nation’s libraries. Funding of Libraries Together is made possible by the Scott County Regional Development Authority, the Riverboat Development Authority, the State Library of Iowa using federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Library Services and Technology Act, as well as the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library and each of the four public libraries. # # # The four libraries of Scott County created Libraries Together as a means to be proactive in responding to shifts in how the state and local governments provide services. In its first phase, the libraries have requested an objective outsider’s look at options for improving library service. The 10-month effort will engage the public through surveys and public meetings. The final report will include a range of options, from simple operational efficiencies to consideration of complete change for all four libraries, and the likely staff, board and public response to each. For more information visit the Libraries Together website at www.librariestogether.o |
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