Walton Library Funding or Lack There of

Beach Fanatic

Nov 5, '09 · 7:29 PM7,1121

I am really shocked at the lack of NEW books at the Coastal Branch. I can't seem to find any purchased after Jun 2009. I have asked numerous times and I get the same response. There is no funding for the Library. And that they have not been able to purchase new books for a while. I asked and was informed that they did not execute their complete FY 2009 budget and the funds have not been released back to them. They are still waiting. I assume I (which is not wise) that the unused funds are going to the other services snack fund accounts.

This is a sad situation. Our Walton County citizens both young and old need this vital service. We must invest in the education and the continued education of our citizens or all that Walton County is working toward will be to no avail. I am a retire military officer and worked many years in force structure (planning the future) while taking care of todays force. The same philosophy could be used here. Learn from history, examine today and focus on tomorrow. The economy is in a sad state of affairs. Most are looking at any way to save money. The library should be there for all to use with up to date books. It seems that there are more people are using the Library each time I go to the Coastal Branch.

We have many friends here and away (that have vacation homes here or visit) and so many refer to this wonderful county as "Walnut County". It is an embarassment. And it is the leadership they refer to not the residents. I have talked with many that like to visit but don't want to invest because of how tax dollars are invested back (or lack of) into the community.

Libraries are right up top with Fire, Police, and Schools. We must fund the library. I have asked when the county budget meetings are held and when they are announced and no one seems to know. They must not adveritise because they think a concerned citizen might show up.

Education is the key to success. Walton County Officials please open your eyes.

I happened upon and interesting post and had to insert it.......

""The WCTA conducted a non-scientific survey in 2007 concerning the priorities for funding of county programs and agency's. Although this survey is now 2 years old we believe that the study still has merit as we are faced with funding priorities. Over 1300 people participated in this survey in Walton County.

We will probably update this survey after this years budget process.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/SurveyResults.pdf

This is a link to the original 4-page survey.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Survey Handout.pdf
__________________
Thank You Walton County !
Our Hotline received 1168 calls during it's first month of operation.

Last edited by WCTA; 09-02-2009 at 10:23 PM. ""

Just found the above post interesting and had to insert it.

Edited Nov 5, '09 · 7:32 PM

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Nov 6, '09 · 7:00 PM#27

So you are saying people from LA would rather have boat ramps than libraries....humm.....I'm from LA. Have you been to a park around here lately.....they keep them up nicely and no one goes to them. Had numerous picnics this summer at the parks and there were no kids. Guess they were on all those boat ramps. I see your point.

PS my sister lives in LA and has 8 boats....she would agree with you.

I did not say which of these services I use or need. What I am saying is that tax money is limited and we cannot do everything that everyone wants. I am also saying that quality roads are usually a first step to providing infrastructure.
I applaud the volunteer efforts and ideas to supplement tax monies to provide the service. The first post seemed a call for increased tax monies to be spent on the library. Everyone just needs to understand that adding money for the library requires either an increase in taxes or taking from another area.

Beach Fanatic

Nov 6, '09 · 7:56 PM#28

I did not say which of these services I use or need. What I am saying is that tax money is limited and we cannot do everything that everyone wants. I am also saying that quality roads are usually a first step to providing infrastructure.
I applaud the volunteer efforts and ideas to supplement tax monies to provide the service. The first post seemed a call for increased tax monies to be spent on the library. Everyone just needs to understand that adding money for the library requires either an increase in taxes or taking from another area.

I am not sure this is necessarily so; there may a better way to allocate the funds/services without adding more taxes. It is a matter of priorities and looking at more efficient uses of the dollars we have. I am just not sure this is always done. For instance, I find it interesting that almost every place in the state has privatized road paving especially since we have had a Republican governor. Yet, in Walton County we have a public works department that is apparently in the business of paving roads. I'm not a road contractor, but I would bet that in this county, it would make more sense to hire a contractor to pave roads, instead of having the county do it...maybe then, we could have paved roads for those who want them; and a library that is open at a time when working people and their children could use it.

Someone is going to have to show me how it is more efficient to close the library on Saturday; turn down the offer of volunteer staff; and have it stay open for three more hours on Monday and have two or three staff people drive from DeFuniak to work the desk; for maybe 20 people who come into the library. It just makes no sense.

Edit: I understand that planning is still ongoing for utilizing volunteers to staff the library so that it can be open more hours. Perhaps the additional revenue returned to the CC from the Tax Collector (see: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/returned-22384-commissioners-revenues.html/url]) help alleviate the budget crunch to the point where the library can at least be opened again on Saturdays--at least for a few hours.

Edited Nov 7, '09 · 8:35 AM

Beach Lover

Nov 6, '09 · 10:32 PM#29

So as someone who lives north of the bridge, on top of the 25 dollar MSBU I also pay for fire, I also pay a tax for Fire and EMS services? I find this interesting, I also find it interesting that property without buildings in my neighborhood do not pay the $25 MSBU. Why is that? I also find it interesting that SWFD used to recieve moneies from the County, as did all FD's prior to the WCFR and some still do.
Thanks

FF2

SWFD receives about $690,000 per year from the BCC budget for providing EMS service in the South - I believe it was about three years ago that the county stopped giving them $40,000 per year for Fire Services in the South as they are an independent taxing authority.

As far as the MSBU goes - a public hearing was held setting the rates for various types of buildings. Commercial property pays a higher rate than Residential. I do not believe there is a fee assessed for undeveloped land.

Edited Nov 6, '09 · 10:34 PM

SoWal Expert

Nov 7, '09 · 10:44 AM#30

... I am also saying that quality roads are usually a first step to providing infrastructure....

I would agree somewhat, but not fully. If for example, Hwy 331 were a dirt road, we would have less tourists in South Walton. However, if Juniper Street, home to about 8 residences, were suddenly paved, the quality of life won't change much for the people in Walton County. Adding content to our libraries can help people grow and perhaps have a more qualified working base to attract businesses. THAT, is providing real infrastructure. Paving a few short streets in a neighborhood where many like living on a dirt road doesn't do much at all really, except keep some cars a little more clean. In my former neighborhood, I loved that it had dirt streets, as did many other locals in that 'hood. The County decided to pave it and to do so, they cut down all of the beautiful large Oak trees which made a nice canopy over the 15 ft wide dirt road. They cut a swath which was 60 ft wide, and then paved, painted a center double line, with reflectors, dug storm water ditches. Sure, the streets are paved, but so what. I think most residents in that hood were more than shocked and some, I'm told, were wanting to pull some stunts straight out of an Edward Abbey novel, to stop the massacre and paving.

Beach Lover

Nov 7, '09 · 11:03 AM#31

Library Budget Facts

I have attached links to three documents that I believe to be germain to this thread. The first link is the budget request presented to the BCC by Dan Owens-Library Director. This request was "scrubbed" thru the budget process in July.

The pages at the end of the request show utilization by various groups at each of the locations and for the Bookmobile.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Library Budget Request.pdf

The following link summarizes the total budget approved by the BCC after the "Budget Scrubs" and two "Public Budget Hearings"

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Library Final Budget.pdf

The following link is an update on the numbers shown in the budget request. These numbers show the actual expenditures with encumbrances through June. These numbers are for 8 months of the fiscal year and were the latest available at the time of the budget scrub process. They were what the WCTA reviewed during the scrub process.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Actual To-date for Library (8 months of LY) .pdf

BH

Edited Nov 7, '09 · 11:09 AM

Beach FanaticAuthor

Nov 7, '09 · 12:06 PM#32

Iris
Based on your comment below, what snack food accounts are you talking about? I work part time with the County and I can assure you I have not seen or been given a snack food account.
"I assume I (which is not wise) that the unused funds are going to the other services snack fund accounts."

I must have struck a nerve. I was making a comment and you blinked. Under the last cuts the snacks were cut out! I am sure no one has a line item on any budget that says "snack food" that would be really stupid. But then again, "Walnut County" as my other friends refer to my beloved Walton County. I do make my own choices and this is where I decided to live many years ago.

Beach Fanatic

Nov 7, '09 · 7:40 PM#33

No nerve struck here. I have worked part time since 200o have never even recieved a free soda. This must be your attempt to criticize the employees who work for you and demean them. Good job, glad I can be off service to you, feel better?

Beach FanaticAuthor

Nov 7, '09 · 8:00 PM#34

No nerve struck here. I have worked part time since 200o have never even recieved a free soda. This must be your attempt to criticize the employees who work for you and demean them. Good job, glad I can be off service to you, feel better?

Guess you work part time for the wrong department! You didn't see the free candy last week?

Edited Nov 7, '09 · 8:02 PM

Beach Fanatic

Nov 7, '09 · 9:12 PM#35

Not into trick or treating, sounds like you are though.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Nov 7, '09 · 9:58 PM#36

Not into trick or treating, sounds like you are though.[/quote

Yep, I am, on a lot of levels. I should have picked up candy everywhere I went.....the kids would have gotten more from this household.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '09 · 1:07 AM#37

No Amazon wish list yet? Are books for citizens a top priority or are funds for librarians the top priority?

Edited Nov 8, '09 · 1:11 AM

Beach Fanatic

Nov 8, '09 · 5:51 AM#38

No Amazon wish list yet? Are books for citizens a top priority or are funds for librarians the top priority?

You know, 30A Shopper, that snarky question is uncalled for, and unkind iMO.

No where in this thread has anyone asked for money for our librarians.

We are asking that consideration be given to opening the library so that people who work Monday through Friday and their children could have better access to the facilities; and that more funding be made available by some means, to purchase more new books and periodicals.

If you wanted to contribute in a positive way, what is stopping you from starting the Wish List--you could call the Library Director Monday and ask for a list of items that you could purchase the next time you buy from Amazon.

People are volunteering their time to support the library for our community--we are asking the county officials to speed up the process for using those volunteers.

You may not need it, but there are many people in the county, many children, who do need the library and many of them can't get there Monday through Friday from 8 - 5 or on Monday nights until 8 p.m.

Our library staff does a fine job under difficult circumstances. They are dedicated people who really care about the people in the community and want to see them have access to materials that will further their education. They care about the children and work with them everyday to supplement their school work; and to instill in the very little children a love of books and learning through the story hour and reading programs.

The library is a special place in the community and the people who work there are special people--they deserve more salary than they are currently getting, but they put their service before themselves and continue to do their best under difficult circumstances.

They could use our support--none of them needs a snarky comment about their salaries from anyone! :bang:

Edited Nov 8, '09 · 6:57 AM

Beach Fanatic

Nov 8, '09 · 6:37 AM#39

All new book dollars have been cut from the budget. This is said as fewer books lower library usage, and lower usage makes it hard to justify newer books.

Coffee was cut out from the BCC purchases several months back.

All the candy I ever saw was paid for by an individual. Never saw any candy or snacks come through on the EAL and they do not have a petty cash system.

Using volunteers is a great idea, but accountability becomes an issue. If you are going to be open you need a minimum number of staff. What if a volunteer decides not to volunteer that day on short notice? How do you handle those situations without driving up your costs?

In DFS the Friends group sells books for $1 for a walmart bag full. This is a really great deal, but to discourage people from putting them on ebay and reselling them, they stamp them all with 'Friends of the Library'. I never understood this, if they think the books are worth more why don't they put them on ebay, if not then they should not make the books, once someone buys them, if they want to resale them, so what? I know of a few that no longer buy the books because that is what they were doing with them.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '09 · 1:17 PM#40

You know, 30A Shopper, that snarky question is uncalled for, and unkind iMO.

No where in this thread has anyone asked for money for our librarians.

We are asking that consideration be given to opening the library so that people who work Monday through Friday and their children could have better access to the facilities; and that more funding be made available by some means, to purchase more new books and periodicals.

If you wanted to contribute in a positive way, what is stopping you from starting the Wish List--you could call the Library Director Monday and ask for a list of items that you could purchase the next time you buy from Amazon.

People are volunteering their time to support the library for our community--we are asking the county officials to speed up the process for using those volunteers.

You may not need it, but there are many people in the county, many children, who do need the library and many of them can't get there Monday through Friday from 8 - 5 or on Monday nights until 8 p.m.

Our library staff does a fine job under difficult circumstances. They are dedicated people who really care about the people in the community and want to see them have access to materials that will further their education. They care about the children and work with them everyday to supplement their school work; and to instill in the very little children a love of books and learning through the story hour and reading programs.

The library is a special place in the community and the people who work there are special people--they deserve more salary than they are currently getting, but they put their service before themselves and continue to do their best under difficult circumstances.

They could use our support--none of them needs a snarky comment about their salaries from anyone!

I'm not allowed to be snarky anymore?

Rats. Where's the fun in that. I've already offered to contribute, but I think someone from the library should set this up, not me, so they know what it's all about.

SoWal Expert

Nov 8, '09 · 1:19 PM#41

Why can't they use staff to get the minimum and then supplement that w/ volunteers? The paid manhours could stay the same, but it ensures the library has the staff needed to be open for more time. I'd certainly like to see the library open on saturdays again.

IMO the DFS group could easily be making more money - there were alot of people at this saturday's Sowal sale paying 50 cents for paperbacks, $1 for hardcovers, and more for special books, not just $1 a bag.

Would selling select donated books on E-bay bring in more money, or would it just be more of a hassle than it's worth? (Don't know much about e-bay or used book prices).

Edit: I already left a message at the library about the Amazon list - will keep you updated.

Edited Nov 8, '09 · 1:26 PM

Beach Lover

Nov 8, '09 · 2:33 PM#42

No Amazon wish list yet? Are books for citizens a top priority or are funds for librarians the top priority?

This was originally suggested on 11/6 - Friday. The library is closed on Saturday - or did you forget? It's Sunday. Library still isn't open, can't talk to anyone about a wish list yet. Some of us have been busy with a used book sale. Did you go? It was great.

Sheesh! Give a person a chance to catch their breath! :blush:

Edited Nov 8, '09 · 2:39 PM

Beach Lover

Nov 8, '09 · 3:29 PM#43

i'm a librarian for a different area and type (academic library). i can tell you from experience working at several types of libraries that it can be complicated to set up volunteering; especially when you are talking about more than just the gift shop. if you could give the library director a spreadsheet list of responsible volunteers with email addresses and other contact info, possible times of service so they could have backup and OK to do background checks (these days that's pretty much a requirement when working around children even as a volunteer) you've greatly helped them get started on track to opening more hours. you'll also have to consider increased use of electricity etc for more opened hours and they will probably have to get someone from staff in to supervise; time away from their own family on a weekend (possible childcare and gas costs too). your organized enthusiasm WILL go far toward more convenient hours as long as hou have volunteers willing to put their efforts where their mouth is so to speak.
i know from experience where i am that i started here about 15 years ago with almost 1/2 the students and more librarians- now we have 2X (5,800)the students and fewer librarians (3 plus staff of 4 with 1 out sick) and with unpaid furloughs we can't always keep up with the "to-do" list like the Amazon possibility you mention that would be really interesting AND helpful but possibly a bit time consuming to start up. good luck and you should get response-it sounds like a good crew of librarians wanting help.

Beach Lover

Nov 8, '09 · 3:33 PM#44

Why can't they use staff to get the minimum and then supplement that w/ volunteers? The paid manhours could stay the same, but it ensures the library has the staff needed to be open for more time. I'd certainly like to see the library open on saturdays again.

IMO the DFS group could easily be making more money - there were alot of people at this saturday's Sowal sale paying 50 cents for paperbacks, $1 for hardcovers, and more for special books, not just $1 a bag.

Would selling select donated books on E-bay bring in more money, or would it just be more of a hassle than it's worth? (Don't know much about e-bay or used book prices).

Edit: I already left a message at the library about the Amazon list - will keep you updated.

Staff is and has been at a minimum - in fact below minimum because of previous years budget constraints. The Saturday closings are in an effort to cut down on building costs. Whether it is effective remains to be seen, and it isn't set in stone at this point. No staff or staff hours were cut, which explains the commute from DFS for some employees.

The Library Friends doesn't care who buys the books, as long as they buy them from us! DFS Library Friends is a completely separate organization from the Friends of the Coastal Branch Library. And yes, selling books on ebay is a BIG hassle.

Beach Fanatic

Nov 9, '09 · 10:54 AM#45

What is your problem?

All we want to do is find a way to help fund a public resource we think is important.

Donated books, fundraising, and volunteer hours aren't depriving anyone of anything.

Yes, times are tough - even more of a reason to support a place that provides services and resources to people of all ages.

And I like my dirt road.

I hate my dirt road.

Beach Fanatic

Nov 9, '09 · 11:04 AM#46

Guess you work part time for the wrong department! You didn't see the free candy last week?

Who has free candy? I have run out of halloween candy, and need a refill.

Beach Fanatic

Nov 9, '09 · 11:09 AM#47

Isn't the reeport Library open on Saturdays? You can alway make the trek there. It really isn't that far.

SoWal Expert

Nov 12, '09 · 11:44 AM#48

Hope to have an Amazon "wish list" for the library ready at the beginning of next week!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Nov 19, '09 · 9:20 PM#49

We went to the Library this week and paid for a couple of periodicals for the upcoming year for the Library. There is no current funding for the Library and donations are requested. What a good feeling. It feels so good to do for others, to help our community, when we can. We have no children so this is our way to give a little back to our future.