A Better Way A Presentation on the Mission and Findings of the Sustainable Funding Task Force of the Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees September 1, 2010

7 in 10 Americans believe their library is a pillar of their community. 36 percent of Americans visit their library weekly. More than 8 in 10 Americans agree that libraries provide an important oasis from their fast-paced, stressful lives. 34 percent of Americans go to the library to access the Internet. 70 percent see the library as a family destination. 76 percent of American children participate in programs at their libraries. One in three Americans will use the library at least once each month. Nearly 7 in 10 say libraries are “one of the few places where their kids can learn quiet concentration in a hyperactive world.”

“Recognizing the economic, cultural, and educational value of the Evanston Public Library to the community, the Library Board supports the continued operations of the entire library system and opposes the proposed closure of the North and South Branch libraries.” Evanston Library Board Meeting, January 20, 2010.

The Evanston Public Library Board’s Sustainable Funding Task Force Created by resolution of the Board in January 2010, and directed by the Board and the City Council to explore the validity and viability of long term sustainable funding options for the EPL. Comprised of concerned Evanston citizens, including members of the Board. Activities of the Task Force:  Examined the history of the Evanston Public Library and its funding;  Researched the legal foundations for library funding and governance options;  Analyzed how other Illinois municipalities govern and fund their libraries;  Studied the changing nature of libraries in the internet age;  Evaluated the role of public libraries as social and economic anchors and as necessary supplements to public education;  Conducted multi-disciplinary research on delivering creative and cost- effective services in the 21 st century. Funding and governance options explored: Special Service Areas (SSAs); Conversion to an independent Library District; assistance from the State government; Public-Private Partnerships; use of the Library Fund.

Today’s Municipal Governance Process City Finance Manager Publishes a Schedule Library Staff prepares a budget City Manager determines final library budget City Council approves the budget and sends total city tax levy including the library to the county Tax revenues are collected and placed in the City General Fund

Impact of Today’s Process Closed both branches, representing:  46% of total library circulation growth  75% of total library visit growth  166,551 Circulation (17%)  157,512 visits (23%)  831 Summer Reading Registration (39%) Reduced Collection Budget  5,000 fewer volumes  65% fewer periodicals Reduced overall budget 17.6%  10 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions eliminated

Special Service Areas Typically fund physical improvements to a targeted area by tax on that area. The task force is unaware of SSA-funded libraries in this or any state. The SSA proposed by the City would have required substantial tax hike. An SSA for a proposed West Branch would be cost-prohibitive. Using SSAs for libraries is constitutionally suspect.

Public-Private Partnerships Public-Private Partnerships can be a potent and effective way of supplementing and enriching the delivery of library services. As the National League of Cities has noted, “There is tremendous partnership potential for cities and libraries… Libraries can also serve as viable partners in community development projects and anchors for development. Finally, libraries can serve as change agents, by being a focal point for neighborhood change and helping to create new economic and workforce development.” Current Impediments to Public/Private Partnerships… Examples of Successful Public/Private Partnerships…

Conversion to Independent Unit of Government Under Illinois law, a library can become an autonomous unit of local government through “conversion.” Wilmette is an independent library district. Conversion can occur by resolution of the board and vote of the city council, or by referendum passed at a regular election.

Library Fund: Use; Rules and Regulations “Every library established under this Act shall be forever for the use of the residents and taxpayers of the city, village, incorporated town or township where located, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the library board may adopt in order to render the use of the library of the greatest benefit to the greatest number of such residents and taxpayers. Illinois Compiled Statutes, 75 ILCS 5/1-3

Library Fund: Powers and Duties of the Board “Each board of library trustees of a city, incorporated town, village or township shall carry out the spirit and intent of this Act in establishing, supporting and maintaining a public library or libraries for providing library service and, in addition to but without limiting other powers conferred by this Act, shall have the following powers: 1. To make and adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations, for their own guidance and for government of the library as may be expedient, not inconsistent with this Act; 2. To have exclusive control of the expenditure of all moneys collected for the library and deposited to the credit of the library fund. Illinois Compiled Statutes, 75 ILCS 5/4-7.

Library Fund: Board of Directors to Supervise “The library established herein shall be under the supervision and management of a board of nine (9) directors, to be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the statutes of the state relating to public libraries, and such board of directors shall have all the powers and authority conferred by such statutes.” Evanston City Code

Library Fund: Levy and Collection of Taxes; Disposition of Proceeds. “The library taxes provided for in this Act shall be levied by the corporate authorities in the amounts determined by the board… and the proceeds shall be deposited in a special fund, which shall be known as the library fund… Expenditures from the library fund shall be under the direction of the board of library trustees. Illinois Compiled Statutes, 75 ILCS 5/3-5.

Library Fund Governance Process Library Board sets priorities Library Staff prepares a budget Library Board approves the budget and sends the Library Levy to the City Clerk City Clerk sends the Library Levy to the County Tax Revenues are collected and placed in the Library Fund

“The Evanston branch libraries have been important to the lives of neighborhood children and retired people and people who work at home. Evanston is known as a civilized community with a high degree of cultural opportunities – perhaps the most civilized in the Chicago metropolitan area – and such a community does not, ever, close down libraries.” - Joseph Epstein, Author “Libraries help introduce children to literacy. Libraries strengthen their parents’ critical thinking. Libraries help older adults stay in touch with the world.” - Henry Kisor, Author