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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News 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 Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 October 1, 2006 Rogue Community College student Jordyn Cunningham, 20, uses the Central Library�s (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Point of no returns? Potential loss of operating funds puts rebuilt system in the middle of debate between tax increases and 'quality of life' By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Voters will decide in November whether the books will close on a library system that traces its roots back to 1919. Jackson County Library Services was forced to seek its own funding after the county learned it might lose $23 million annually from the federal government. Libraries are asking voters for a five-year levy of 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to keep operating at current levels. If the levy doesn't pass on Nov. 7, all 15 libraries could close their doors. "The community without a library is not a community," says 67-year-old Prospect resident Dave Connor, who uses the Shady Cove library and says he supports the levy. Advertisement "I don't think they should raise property taxes," says Shady Cove resident Brittni Muller, who will be 18 in two weeks and plans to vote in this election. "If I get my own house, I don't want to pay more taxes." Her friend, 18-year-old Priscilla Atkins, agrees. "A lot of people who own property around here barely get by," she says. Muller, who uses the library for research for school projects, says she will go to her local branch to find out more about the levy. But she can't understand why so much money has been spent building new libraries when there is no money to operate them. "Our library is fine the way it is," she says. "There is not a lot of people here. We don't need a huge library." In 2000, voters approved a $38.9 million bond measure to expand or build new libraries in 14 communities throughout Jackson County. According to state law, the money cannot be used for ongoing operating expenses. In the meantime, Jackson County is facing the potential loss of $23 million annually in federal timber subsidies. If that happens, county commissioners have said the libraries could close, sheriff's patrols could be reduced and health services could be cut back. Road projects also could be cut by $4 million. The library levy would generate an estimated $8.2 million in fiscal year 2007-08 to maintain libraries at current levels. Taxpayers would only pay for the levy if the county loses the federal subsidy. Shady Cove will be the last community to get a new library as part of the 2000 bond, and for many locals it is also one of the most important buildings in town. "The children have somewhere to go after school," says Shady Cove resident Sandi Thompson, a 35-year-old mother of five. "What do we have in this area for children?" She says she uses the library to go on the Internet, for word processing, photocopying, reference materials and for books she uses when she has home-schooled her children. She says the libraries also offer books for home-bound adults, story times for children, books on tape and CDs and public meeting rooms. "It's a totally kid-friendly environment," she says as her 4-year-old daughter, Coleen, keeps herself busy one morning painting at the temporary headquarters of the Shady Cove library. The local schools bring students to the library and use many of its reading materials in their classrooms. "It would be a huge community loss, especially for Shady Cove," Thompson says. Karen Rickerd, Shady Cove branch librarian, says she has heard many patrons, who generally like having a library in town, say they won't vote for the levy. "They say, 'I can't afford it. No more taxes,' " she says. Genie Gilliam, chairwoman of the library advisory committee, said that as a landlord she can understand the concern about increasing property taxes. But faced with the loss of libraries, she says, "What would that mean for the quality of life for everybody?" She says many people don't understand the difference between assessed valuation and real market value, calculating the tax hit from the levy at a higher level than they should. Medford resident Jordyn Cunningham says she loves the peace and quiet she finds at the Central Library in Medford and will support the levy. A Rogue Community College student, she uses the library to study away from her five brothers and sister. "I started getting good grades when I came here," she says. "I went from a C student to an A student." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . On the ballot What: A five-year tax levy to keep all 15 Jackson County library branches operating at current levels. How much: 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The levy would add $110.22 in taxes annually on a house with an assessed valuation of $167,000, the county average. About assessed valuation: Used by the Assessor's Office to compute property taxes, assessed valuation is typically about 50 percent of real market value. Property owners can scan their tax statements for the assessed valuation to determine what they would pay if the levy is approved. Shelf Life Projected 2006-2007 use of Jackson County libraries 1,472,000 Books, magazines and audiovisual items checked out. 40,000 Books added to the collections. 31,000 Books delivered to the homebound. 205,000 Reference questions answered. 260,000 Sessions booked on public computer workstations. 240,000 "Hits" on the library Web page. 4,200 Public meetings held in library rooms. 190 Volunteers. 16,000 Volunteer hours. 3,000 Daily visits to local library branches. For more information, see www.jcls.org Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Read some of the comments on this article OLDOREGON : The library levy is the only $$$ request that I'm certain to vote for this year. The comments about why vote, I have the internet, libraries are things of the past, etc. aren't terribly community oriented or very accurate. Every stat shows that Library use has gone up, not down, as the result of the Internet. NO society is any stronger than its weakest link and I for one am happy to pay for folks that want to READ in a library. It sure beats building prisons and paying for cops. This is the chance to vote, and pay, for something that is good for others. Its a bargain that I'm glad to support. CHAOTICKITTY : I do not want the libraries to close... as I said I think they are a great service. However, they need to change the way they do things. I am trying to to give them money, yet they wont take it. I also feel the Medford library was WAY over the top and uncalled for. I have always felt that the libraries of the rogue valley were over the top. Its not just my issue with the HEAD of the Jackson County Library System... I think there are major issues with how Library money is spent.. Read All Comments or Add Your Own Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com