Denver’s library commission this morning sent a strong message to Denver’s mayor and City Council, asking to become an independent district with taxing authority.
The commission today unanimously approved the resolution — a public demand that would divorce the library from the city’s general fund. The request would have to be approved by Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver’s City Council before going to the voters in November.
“This is a key moment in the history of Denver Public Library,” said Jay Mead, vice chair of the commission.
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With an annual budget of $32 million, the system has 18 of 23 branches open four days for 32 hours a week. Four branches are open six days, and one is open four days a week and a half-day on Sunday. The Central Library is open 52 hours a week.
A request to become a district would also come with a property tax hike of at least $71 a year on a $224,000 home, which would allow branches to be open 40 hours a week and 56 hours at the Central Library.
Gallagher has said he will actively campaign against the creation of a library, saying that it would be problematic for staffers who would have to change their benefits and for how the library would deal with the facilities that are owned by the city.
Mead said those issues would be worked out with the staff and createing an intergovernmental agreement with the city over using the facilities.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
