Pros And Cons Of Library Districts
Potential benefits of becoming a library district
Provides the opportunity for more stable funding, because funding is secured directly from the community rather than competing with other city or county departments. Generally speaking library districts tend to be better funded than other types of libraries.
Can help areas with lower property values maintain quality library services.
Allows public libraries to combine under a new administrative structure, which offers the potential for improved library services and cost savings through sharing costs, such as administrative, personnel, collections, and technology.
Members of the Board of Trustees have the power to levy, within limits.
City councils and county commissioners are freed from many of their administrative and governing responsibilities to the library.
Communities can use the library district to improve an important and essential public service. The library can often offer more services because of increased funding.
Potential disadvantages of becoming a library district
Forming a library district may not be the right answer for all areas.
Holding a successful election takes a considerable effort.
The complexity of forming a government entity takes a great deal of time and effort.
Electors can establish and dissolve districts by direct vote.
New costs such as building insurance, legal fees, facilities maintenance, personnel administratioin, and technology management may occur.
ASPeN: The New Library Directory
- Home
- Introduction To Public Library Districts
- What Are Districts?
- Pros And Cons Of Library Districts
- Difference Between Library Districts And Other Types Of Libraries
- Who To Contact For Help?
- Exploring Library Districts and Gauging Support for a District Effort
- Research The Districting Option
- Decide on Whether or Not to Create A Committee To Explore District Option
- Decide on Boundaries and Name of the District
- Decide on Services the District Might Offer
- Create a Budget for the District
- Determine the Amount of Mills You Will Need Levied
- Talk to Local Government Officials
- Talk to Library Supporters
- Decide Whether or Not to Move Forward With the District Option
- Exploring Library Districts Checklist
- Forming a District Group - The Role of Local Government Officials and the New Board
- Create an Official District Planning Group/Committee
- Coordinating Local Government Efforts
- The New Board of Trustees
- Forming a District Group Checklist
- Special Considerations
- Planning for Facilities
- Funding For The First Year
- Accounting, Legal, Maintenance Costs
- Transfer Of Staff And Benefits
- Special Considerations Checklist
- Pursuing the District: Legal Options For Forming A District
- Option 1: County Commissioners Pass a Resolution Putting the Library District Issue on the Ballot
- Option 2: Create the district through a petition process and then a resolution by the County Commissioners
- Develop A Map And Description Of The Boundaries Of The New District
- Decide Upon The Maximum Mill Levy That You Want For The District
- Decide On The Number Of Board Members
- Decide On When You Want To Hold The Election
- Draft The Petition
- Circulate The Petitions And Supporting Materials
- The Hearing With The County Commissioners
- Legal Options Checklist
- Election Process
- Create an Election Committee
- Create an Election Calendar
- Create a Public Relations Plan and Design Public Relations Material
- Present Your Idea to the Community
- Get Out the Vote on Election Day
- Conducting the Election
- Results Certification, Canvassing, and the Creation Order
- Election Process Checklist
- Outcomes Of The Effort
- Success
- Election Fails
- Appendices