Ralph Illick Effectively States the Case for the Value of Libraries

Column: Library service a good value for tax dollars. (Wausau Daily Herald, 2/9/2011)

Excerpt: Thank you all for being so welcoming to me during my first weeks here at the Marathon County Public Library.

As the new director, I am committed to building our partnerships with the communities we serve. While we face growing challenges during difficult economic times, I know that our staff will continue to provide excellent library service that the people of Marathon County have come to expect from us.

I'd like to take a moment to reflect upon some of the ways that we have continued to excel in providing these services during the past year, despite the budget constraints that have been befallen us and all municipal and county agencies. It's always good to see real value for tax dollars spent, and we can measure the results here in a number of ways. For example, according to an economic impact research report by NorthStar Economics Inc. of Madison, taxpayers received a $4.06 return for every $1 invested in Wisconsin libraries.

Here at MCPL, we can see the results in more concrete terms.