Thursday, January 13, 2011

Indianapolis Star Editorial: "Give library a fair share of tax"


Link to January 13 Indianapolis Star editorial.

Excerpt: By the numbers, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has done its part.

Caught in a perfect storm of falling property tax revenues and growing patronage, the system cut more than $2 million from its 2011 budget by laying off 37 employees, reducing service hours by 26 percent and subtracting $1 million in spending on books and materials.

Now, it's the Indiana General Assembly's turn. And the City-County Council's.


[snip]

If the state is going to bestow this local taxing power, it behooves local government and local residents to show interest. The City-County Council is expected to vote Jan. 24 on a resolution that would ask for the necessary change in state law. The grass-roots Sustainable Library Citizens Coalition plans a mass showing and "read-in" at the City-County Building for that meeting, and will hold a similar event Feb. 8 at the Statehouse.

Whatever the turnout for those actions may be, there is no discounting the wide demand and acute need for the library's diverse services. The state should free the county to do as other counties already do: dip into its own pocketbook to help out.


Related articles:
Sustainability in the form of a share of county income taxes.  (1/12/2011)
Township deals comes undone.  (1/8/2011)
Vote to restore library hours and rehire staff: Thanking God again in Wayne Township, Indiana.  (12/16/2010)
Wayne Township's $200,000 for IMCPL:  "Thank God it's a nice purpose".  (12/8/2010)
Temporary fix (not yet approved ) to keep 4 IMCPL branches open.  (11/19/2010)
ICMPL to lay off 37 employees.  (11/12/2010)
Cuts in library hours, materials budget.  (9/15/2010)
Library announces 26% cut in hours.  (9/14/2010)
Indianapolis resident recommends book to local officials.  (9/6/2010)
Library board votes to include 'shortfall appeal' option.  (9/1/2010)
Library board to consider 'shortfall appeal'.  (8/30/2010)
In close vote, library board cuts hours, staff.  (8/20/2010)
Library grapples with its sustainable future.  (8/16/2010)
Library projects a $7.3 million deficit by 2014.  (7/29/2010)
Library board sez no branch closings in 2011.  (7/15/2010)
Library supporters question Pacers deal. (7/15/2010)
High performance government team report.  (7/11/2010)
Library board delays decision on libraries.  (6/5/2010)
Another big turnout for libraries.  (5/13/2010)
Mayor vows to keep library branches open.  (5/12/2010)
Residents speak up for their libraries.  (5/11/2010)
The neighborhood library as refuge.  (5/2/2010)
Indianapolis Star editorial board keeps library funding issue front and center.  (4/25/2010)
Efficiency experts look for ways to keep branch libraries open.  (4/23/2010)
More than 1400 sign petition to keep Glendale branch open.  (4/20/2010)
Editorial:  Find resources for library.  (4/19/2010)
What's in store for Indianapolis-area libraries?  (4/17/2010)
Indiana Pacers bailout talks continue.  (4/16/2010)
Postscript.  (4/15/2010)
Look what's at the top of Indianapolis's to-do list.  (4/14/2010)
A Challenge to Indianapolis-Marion County:  Stand Up for Libraries.  (4/13/2010)
Library rally caps?  Get real, sez IndyStar editorial.  (4/12/2010)
Will Indianapolis rally for its libraries?  (4/12/2010)
Library considers branch closings.  (4/9/2010)

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