10 reasons to vote YES!

The top 10 reasons why you should vote YES to a new Grand Forks Public Library:

10. Because we’ve loved our library to death.

9. Because books are alive and well.

8. Because our kids and grandkids deserve a brain playground.

7. Because the parking, technology, lighting and energy in the current building just aren’t cutting it.

6. Because meeting rooms build community. (And the current library has only one meeting room!)

5. Because the current library is overused and undersized.

4. Because libraries must be available to all.

3. Because libraries open minds and inspire imagination.

2. Because libraries advance people. (And people advance companies and communities.)

1. Because voting no is not a solution. (The current library needs serious help, and it’s going to cost a considerable amount of money either way.)

We need more space for parking, displays, programming, computers, teens and children, story hour and book clubs. We need more space for community. We need more space to grow.

Remember to get out and vote YES on Tuesday, May 3!

Funding the Grand Forks Public Library

This blog post is in response to a question we received last week, regarding alternative funding options for the Grand Forks Public Library.

At their April 14, 2011, meeting, the Grand Forks Public Library Board received and reviewed a formal complaint submitted by Molly MacBride in regard to accessibility problems in our library. MacBride’s letter was forwarded to City Hall for official review, and last week library officials met with City Attorney Howard Swanson and City Administrator Rick Duquette to discuss the complaint. We have also contacted Bev Collings, Building Inspector for the City of Grand Forks. Library officials will seek legal counsel regarding appropriate next steps for addressing the complaint.

Within the next 90 days, the 2012 Library budget will be prepared and submitted to City Hall. If the 1-cent sales tax is not approved for the proposed construction project, the 2012 budget will most likely include a request for additional funds necessary to address the immediate needs for safety and accessibility at GFPL. Budget requests are usually funded through the City’s General Fund, which is derived from property tax collections. Library officials will work with City Council to prioritize the biggest deficiencies at the library.

The American Library Association provides a comprehensive report at the end of each year, recapping the size, budget and funding source for all library construction projects. This is a comprehensive document to review if you are interested in learning how other communities have paid for library construction projects.

We are aware of three funding options for library construction projects:

1. Property Tax
2. Sales Tax
3. Private Donations and Grants

Many times, a blend of two or three sources is utilized. Such is the case with the Grand Forks Public Library.

The historic records in our library show that Grand Forks voters approved a public library levy in 1900. In 1904, funding for construction of the first new library in GF came from a private donation provided by library philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. As part of the agreement with Carnegie before his construction funding was released, the citizens of Grand Forks voted to provide the necessary operating funds for their public library. The City of Grand Forks purchased property in the center of town and provided the necessary funds for equipment and furnishings, staff salaries and ongoing operating budget. With that decision, future generations of Grand Forks citizens were ensured of ongoing service, free of charge, from a public library.

The current GF Public Library building was completed in 1972 using property tax dollars from a bond issue approved by voters in 1969.  Money from the Anna Lindaas estate was also used to fund the construction. The annual operating budget at GFPL continues to be funded by property tax dollars from the City of Grand Forks and from the County of Grand Forks.

With the proposed library construction project, a combination of revenue sources will once again be utilized:

• 1-cent sales tax would fund the entire construction project, purchase adjacent property as needed and provide furnishing, fixtures and equipment
• Private donations and grants would supplement the project costs and provide additional amenities such as a fireplace or an aquarium. The Grand Forks Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity, has been created to receive and administer contributions of this type. In November of 2010 and January of 2011, grants from the Knight Foundation ($45,000) and the Otto Bremer Foundation ($93,600) were awarded and utilized for community input and planning sessions for our proposed library project. Additional grant applications are also in the works. Although there are some grants available for ADA upgrades, no applications have been submitted for this funding, since remodeling is currently not planned at GFPL.
• Property tax would continue to be the source for the ongoing operating budgets.

North Dakota State Century Code plays an integral part in public library governance. The City of Grand Forks must adhere to these laws regarding any plans for our public library.