Link to September 29 Daily Herald article, "Des Plaines Library seeks loan from city".
Excerpt: The Des Plaines Public Library might need to borrow up to $1.5 million from the city to remain open through the end of the year if Cook County property tax receipts don't come in on time, officials said.
[snip]
Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan said the library will have to justify the loan request to the city council and "if they've made cuts to show that they truly deserve the city's backing on this issue."
"We froze our department heads' salaries. We've made cuts to staff. And the library until this year has not done that," Moylan added. "They have raised residents' taxes approximately 7.4 percent for the last 10 years. We encourage them to be responsible with the taxpayers' money."
Library officials are holding off on planned improvements this year such as upgrading restrooms and reconfiguring the library's fourth floor to make space for additional computers and move the help desk to a central location.
"We stopped buying materials so we haven't bought books, DVDs or music since August," Sorensen said.
Officials hope to build up the library's fund balance in future years so it is not hamstrung by delays in property tax receipts.
Related article:
Mayor offers veiled threat to library board. (10/27/2009; note comment.)
1 comment:
Mayor Moylan has already made good on his veiled threat - he named several more people to the library board. He now has 5 appointees to the library board.
More anti-intellectualism from a know-nothing bully.
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