Funding Evanston Public Library Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees

EPL Vision All residents have the opportunity to enjoy an intellectually and culturally rich life and contribute to the community fabric Every child experiences the joy of reading and enters school ready to read and succeed All residents have access to accurate and reliable information in a variety of formats Those seeking information can find it with ease and assistance within our facilities or remotely

Core Elements of Library Operations Collections Services and Outreach Space

Collections are More than Books Books Magazines DVDs CDs Audiobooks Downloadable books and video Electronic databases Online periodicals E-books

Perspective on the Value of Library Collections in the Internet Age Those who declared librarians obsolete when the Internet rage first appeared are now red- faced. We need them more than ever. The Internet is full of 'stuff' but its value and readability is often questionable. 'Stuff' doesn't give you a competitive edge, high- quality related information does. Patricia Schroeder, President, Association of American Publishers

Current, Relevant Collections are Vital to the Core Mission of the Public Library Cost of print and digital collections can outpace CPI, often by wide margins Electronic databases, e-books, and other digital resources are no less costly, and often more so, than print materials Current, reduced levels of EPL funding mean that the library is able to purchase approximately 5000 fewer titles per year

Library Collections (Print and Digital) Expenditures: Evanston and Neighboring Communities MunicipalityLibrary Materials Expenditures, Arlington Heights$1,541,489 Skokie$1,249,000 Des Plaines$890,450 Champaign$716,183 Evanston$459,100

The Community’s Need for Library Space is Evolving… Technology Youth Services (e.g., Teen Loft) Community meetings Cultural Events The Library as “Third Space”

...and growing 6,621,470 visitors, , the equivalent of approximately 90 times the the population of Evanston or, put another way, nine times the population of the city visits the library every year! Increases in use have occurred at all EPL locations

Library Services Thousands of Evanstonians of all ages participate in library outreach activities every year EPL partners closely with schools, community centers, and senior centers to promote lifelong learning and inquiry, crucial to a healthy community and a functioning democracy Quality library services require dedicated staff at all levels

Staff Expenditures: Evanston and Peer Communities MunicipalityExpenditures for Staff, FY Arlington Heights$8,900,822 Skokie$7,264,720 Des Plaines$4,195,250 Champaign$4,791,701 Evanston$3,277,807

Library Fund Revenue: Evanston and Neighboring Communities MunicipalityTotal Library Revenue, FY Arlington Heights$13,356,626 Skokie$13,112,826 Des Plaines$6,900,185 Champaign$6,726,359 Evanston$4,278,872

EPL Per Capita Revenue Compared to Neighboring Communities MunicipalityLibrary Per Capita Revenue, FY10-11 Arlington Heights$ Skokie$ Des Plaines$ Champaign$96.72 Evanston$57.64

Library Property Tax Levy Per Capita MunicipalityLibrary Per Capita Revenue, FY10-11 Arlington Heights$ Skokie$ Des Plaines$ Champaign$90.88 Evanston$50.72

10 Year Historical Overview Evanston Public Library Budget as Percentage of Total City Budget

Moving Forward Stabilize library funding in a responsible, transparent, and prudent manner that is sensitive to today’s difficult economic environment Continuously engage the community in developing the library budget and establishing priorities Implement a long-term, sustainable funding model that will ensure a quality public library befitting the cultural, economic, and intellectual diversity of this great community – for the present and future generations!

Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest. - Lady Bird Johnson