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Just the Facts, Please
Letter to the Editor:
Putnam County Executive, Robert Bondi, recently asked Putnam County Libraries, and other nonprofit agencies, to justify the need and worth of their services; and to determine if taxpayers are willing to pay to support these organizations. Local libraries contribute to the quality of life in Putnam County and they are busier each year providing the materials and services that Putnam County residents are asking for in record numbers. Let's look at some 2005 library usage figures:
2 out of every 3 Putnam County residents had library cards over 67,000 cards.
On average, people borrowed more than 2,200 items each day from the libraries that's over 677,850 items in one year. This costs less in the end because all the Putnam County libraries share their materials with all Putnam County residents.
Over 53,700 Putnam County residents came to more than 4,000 library programs for children, adults and families last year to inspire the love of reading in their children at Story Times, to attend adult seminars on topics like real estate investing or Internet safety for children, or to attend a family music concert. They were welcome at any Putnam County library program, in part, because of Putnam County library funding.
On average, more than 2,000 people came each day to use whichever Putnam County library they wanted to that's over 615,350 total visits. They came to borrow books, DVDs, and music CDs, to use library computers and access the Internet, to do homework, to meet new friends at book discussion groups, to update their resume and search for jobs, to learn to read, take proctored exams, find community information and more all made possible, in part, with County funding.
Putnam County funding pays for special services like the Job and Education Information Center at the Mahopac Library, which is the County Reference Center.
County funding also provides between 6 and 20% of each local library's operating expenses, so that the libraries can share their services. In 2007, full Putnam County library funding will cost the average household $11.08 to receive reliable, shared library materials, programs and services. We think it's a cost-effective use of tax dollars; and that's what the people who use the Putnam County libraries tell us every day.
Patti Haar, President Putnam County Libraries
Association
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