It’s been 15 years since the Jefferson County Public Library sought the public’s vote on a tax increase, and 29 years since one passed, but now library staff and the board of trustees say they need money more than ever as the library struggles to keep up with its contemporaries.
“It’s time to deliver 21st century services. We can’t do that on a 20th century budget,” board of trustees member Brian DeLaet said. “The people of Jeffco have a real gem in the libraries, but I think it’s time for us to polish that gem and make it even more valuable.”
that would add approximately $8 million to the library’s annual budget if it passes.
The library has seen a reduction in hours of operation at its branches, cutbacks in services and aging buildings as its budget has dropped nearly $3 million since 2008. The decrease was caused by the 2008 recession, which reduced property values, contributions, investments and other sources of revenue. This year’s budget was just over $25 million.
Jeffco Public Library has 10 branches, a bookmobile, 369 part-time and full-time employees, and receives more than 2.5 million visits per year.
The drop in hours has been felt most, according to library executive director Pam Nissler. Jeffco libraries are open seven or eight hours per day but at different times. Twice a week, the libraries are open from noon-8 p.m., but they close by 5 p.m. on the other days. Late-start days mean there are no storytime programs, but the other days make it difficult for those coming after work or school.
Restoring the libraries to a schedule of 9 a.m.-8 p.m. most days would cost approximately $2 million per year, according to board of trustees member John Bodnar.
The infrastructure at some of the libraries is also aging. For example, the Columbine Library is in need of new carpeting, and other facilities have experienced window leaks.
“This building hasn’t been remodeled for quite some time,” said Columbine Library manager Barbara Yeutter Roig, noting the patchwork carpeting that’s replaced some worn-out sections near the computers.
The library has also fallen behind on book investments and technology. Bodnar said slow servers are a detriment to helping those who rely on the library for Internet access.
“We’re that source for the underserved population,” Bodnar said. “This increase will help us get faster services.”
If the tax increase of 1 mill passes, it will add $1.95 per month on top of what residents typically pay in a normal Jeffco home, or 67 cents per $100,000 of value. The median Jeffco home is priced at $293,926. Those homes would pay approximately $8.77 per month in library taxes if the measure passes.
Nissler hopes a more active effort to communicate the library’s needs will resonate with voters this year. She said those efforts were not made in 2000 when a tax increase question failed.
“We’ve been working for over a year and a half to communicate our needs and build understanding,” she said.
Former state senators Norma Anderson and Mike Feeley will be co-chairing a volunteer campaign committee to support the mill levy. Anderson, a longtime Jeffco resident, said she thinks people understand that a good library system takes money.
“Being a resident so long, I see the value of having a good library system,” Anderson said. “It should be equal to our peers.”
Nissler noted that early outreach has yielded positive feedback. In a poll done earlier this year, 62 percent of those asked said they would support a mill levy increase.
Bodnar said he believes that if the voters want to see the libraries improve, they’ll support the increase.
“I’m anxious to let public decide,” he said. “They’ll get the library they’re willing to pay for.”
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc
