Advantages and Disadvantages

ADVANTAGES TO FORMING A LIBRARY DISTRICT

• Funding is secured directly from library users rather than competing with other city or county departments.
• Funding is relatively stable – based on property taxes, not sales taxes.
• Because funding is more stable, so is the consistency of the planning process.
• Autonomy, greater independence in decision making, greater focus on library services, greater freedom from political infighting.
• A single purpose district has greater tax-payer accountability and organizational focus.
• Unspent dollars can be retained for future years.  No “use it or lose it.”
• Generally speaking, library districts tend to be better funded than other public libraries.

DISADVANTAGES TO FORMING A LIBRARY DISTRICT

• New costs, such as building insurance, facilities maintenance, legal fees, personnel administration, and technology management.
• Adherence to state budget regulations – learn a new set of rules, pay for your own audit, etc.
• State budget limits and constitutional limits such as “TABOR” and “Gallagher” apply to library districts directly.
• Mill levy increases depend on election campaigns.
• The transition year is difficult, requiring a large board and staff commitment – setting policy, legal advice, education, etc.  Then step back!!
• Nobody to blame but yourself!  It requires a cultural shift from “Blame it on the council or commission,” to “WE are responsible.”