Agenda Item 05.2 - Pequot Lakes Community Library

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The Board of the Pequot Lakes Community Library has voted unanimously to recommend to the Pequot Lakes City Council that the Library NOT become part of the Kitchigami Regional Library System. Joining the System would not be in the best interest of the Library nor the City. After research and a thorough discussion, the Board feels: 1. In becoming a regional library, local control is lost. The City would have one representative on the regional library board (a group of approximately 11 currently). The local library would continue to have a library board; however, they are more a fundraising group that would provide "extras" that might enhance the library. 2. Responsibility of the building would continue to fall to the City. The regional system informs the library of equipment needed inside the building and it is the responsibility of the City to provide it. 3. There is a cost determined by the State called "Maintenance of Effort" that must be provided to the regional system for their operation. Estimation for Crosslake shows an original number to be similar to the levy currently paid by Crosslake residents of $67,000 per year. Our estimated levy cost (paid through the County) is $16,000. It is clear this amount would not cover our Maintenance of Effort — thus the City would have to make up the difference. It should be noted that a portion of Maintenance of Effort is retained by the City to cover some cost of building maintenance. 4. Following up on loss of local control, the regional system determines hours, materials, and staff. As the Pequot Lakes Library is currently open 41 hours per week (Crosslake is 35), this number would be cut considerably, as the regional system determines hours needed by circulation count. The PL Library Board feels this is inappropriate since the fewer hours open actually lowers the ability for circulation. 5. There are "Establishment Costs" that are totally unknown at this time. This is the conversion of catalog records, labeling, dataline installation, software licenses and installation, training, etc. A majority of this cost (estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars), would be the City's responsibility. In conclusion, it is the Pequot Lakes Community Library Board's recommendation to the City Council that the City indicate they are not interested in becoming a part of the regional system, at least in the foreseeable future.