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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 5, 2007 The latest from the library rumor mill After the recent announcement that libraries will close this spring, the county has been abuzz with rumors and questions about what caused the problem and what could solve it. Here is a list of some of the main concerns with responses from county officials: Instead of shutting down all the libraries, why can't the county keep the main branch in Medford open? The Medford library, which is the largest of the 15 branches, accounts for more than $4 million of the library system's $8 million annual budget. County officials say that leaving the Medford branch open wouldn't save enough money and wouldn't sit well with taxpayers in other communities. The county is already setting aside $1 million to mothball all the branches so they can be reopened if voters approve a possible levy in May or November. Library officials knew there would be a funding crisis even as they persuaded the public to support a $38.9 million bond measure in 2000 to expand or rebuild nearly all of the system's 15 branches. Library Director Ronnie Budge said that during the campaign for the bond measure, she disclosed the possibility that keeping libraries open was contingent on the continued funding from the federal government. She said Congress historically had passed funding measures for the county. Advertisement "It was likely that Congress would renew it, but there was no guarantee," she said. At the time the bond measure was being discussed, Jackson County's libraries were deteriorating. For instance, the Carnegie library roof leaked, ruining books and wiring. Because of the new libraries, usage is up at the branches, with 20 percent more books checked out and five times as many computers available. "We would never have fit the number of people at any given hour of the day at the old Carnegie library as we do at the new Medford library," said Budge. However, because of their bigger size, the new libraries cost slightly more to operate, Budge said. The county has a huge pot of money that could be used to keep the libraries open. The county does have $23 million in a rainy-day fund. However, libraries aren't the only service that is being reduced. The sheriff's budget faces a $2 million cut, Community Justice will lose $1 million and county road maintenance will be cut by $4 million. These cuts would be deeper but the county plans to dip into the rainy-day fund to help soften the blow. Also, $1 million will be needed to mothball the library system. Why can't the library use the remaining bond measure money to keep libraries open rather than build new branches? According to Oregon law, the bond money can only be used to build libraries, not pay for ongoing operations. Can't the county just get grants to keep libraries open? The library system does receive grants for special programs, but there is no foundation that gives libraries grants for basic operations. The library system has been mismanaged, leading to the money crunch. The main revenue for the libraries came from $23 million supplied by the federal government annually. If the county loses this money as predicted, it means cuts to not only the library system, but to the sheriff's department, the roads department and to other services. According to Budge, Jackson County's library service compares favorably to other library systems throughout the state. In 2004-05, the last year for which figures were available, operating costs for Jackson County libraries per resident were $39.16, compared with $45.12 for library service in Deschutes County, $60.41 in Corvallis-Benton County, $61.50 in Eugene, and $64.84 in Multnomah County. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com