Ypsilanti District Library to put millage in front of voters
Beatrice King and her son, Jeremy, use the computers at the downtown branch of the Ypsilanti District Library.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
John Russell sat in the downtown Ypsilanti District Library branch flipping through a stack of newspapers on a recent afternoon. He said he reads several newspapers each visit, including the Detroit News and Free Press.
Russell also used to read USA Today, but the YDL quit carrying that paper, he said. Donna DeButts, a YDL spokeswoman, said that library is drawing less money from the millage that funds it, and that affects its purchasing power.
To help restore its ability to purchase materials and prevent further cuts, the YDL is putting a new .38 mill tax levy in front of voters in November. The millage would generate $760,000 in 2011 and mean a home with a market value of $100,000 and a taxable value of $50,000 would pay an additional $19 annually. The library collects 1.54 mills from the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township communities it serves. Those collections generated $4.2 million in 2007. But that figure has dropped to $3.8 million in 2010 because of declining property values, and projections show another decrease of 25 percent by 2013.
Meanwhile, the number of residents using the library continues to grow. The YDL has seen an almost 400 percent increase in circulation since 2002 and lent nearly 1 million pieces last year. The number of residents partaking in YDL programs has doubled at the same time to 44,000 in 2009.
YDL Director Jill Morey said the library can use its fund balance to help offset the losses in the short term, but that will be depleted by 2014. State aid allowances continue to drop, money was lost because of the Headlee Amendment to the Michigan Constitution, interest on YDL accounts has stagnated and money collected from Washtenaw County court fines has declined.
“It is just the perfect storm because of the increased usage … but revenues have gone exactly the opposite direction,” she said. “It’s not that we’re trying to get ahead, it’s that we’re trying to stabilize things and get back to where we were in 2007. It’s really hitting from all sides for public libraries right now."
DeButts said many residents assume the YDL is government funded, but she said the library receives no federal money and very little from the state. She said 92 percent of its revenues come through local property taxes.
Property values in all three communities the YDL serves have dropped, and Ypsilanti Township has been hit especially hard by foreclosures.
Marcus and Lynn Davis browse movies at the YDL's downtown branch.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Nearly 80,000 residents hold YDL library cards. The YDL was formed between the city and township in 1983, and Superior Township joined in 2007. Branches are located on Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti and on MacArthur Boulevard in Superior Township. The latter, which opened in 2007, is smaller than the other two. Residents also have access to the Bookmobile.
Typically, the YDL reserves 15 percent of its budget for purchasing books, magazines, movies, music and other "collections" materials, but that number is down 11 percent this year, and will drop further if the millage fails. By law, the library must balance its budget, and Morey said the cost-saving options include shortening its hours, reducing staffing, canceling database subscriptions or cutting programming.
Library programs have become particularly popular with more than 40,000 residents participating in 2,118 individual classes and programs in 2009. Programs include classes on computer skills for job searching and social networking skills, a concert series, book discussions and visits from authors like Scott Simon or radio host Ira Glass.
Ypsilanti resident Beatrice King said her 3-year-old-son, Jeremy, participated in one of the recent youth story time programs.
King, who has been a YDL member for 12 years, said she visits the library for a variety of purposes. Jeremy plays educational games on the computer, while she uses the Internet for job searches or communicating with out of state family.
The YDL's Board of Trustees has decided to put a .38 mill tax proposal in front of voters in November.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
“I like that it’s local, the security of it; it’s peaceful and I’ve never had any problems at all here,” King said, adding that she owns a home nearby and would support paying a little extra to sustain the library’s current level of service.
Marcus and Lynn Davis browsed the library's movies on a recent afternoon. They were checking out multiple DVDs - a "Family Ties" collection, kung fu movies and a video on aging. Lynn Davis explained she has an aging grandma and hopes the video will help.
The couple, who own a home in Ypsilanti, echoed King's thoughts on the library.
"It's small, it's convenient and there's really good service," Lynn Davis said. She added that she would support the millage.
"I'm already doing that now because I pay my property taxes," she said.
Comments
LoneWolfArcher
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 9:45 a.m.
I can't even begin to describe the personal satisfaction it gives me to vote no on these millages! And I get a double chance this time around! VOTE NO ON ANY AND ALL MILLAGE INCREASES!
Forest City
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
From a purely selfish standpoint, I get way more out of the library than I pay in taxes. I am happy to pay more for this wonderful service.
information please
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 12:29 p.m.
Cash, You are correct. It is simple. Funding public libraries benefits the entire community, particularly in a time of economic crisis. When demand increases, it is necessary for the library to provide staff and materials to meet the growing needs of the community, particularly if many members of our community are experiencing cuts in their own budgets. In fact, that's one of the reasons why library usage is up so significantly nationwide. Many people who might have purchased books, magazines, newspapers, paid for internet access at home, or rented DVDs have to make hard choices, which may include not paying for any of these things and choosing to use the library's collections instead. Participation in the librarys programs has also doubled. Libraries are countercyclical, meaning that when the economy is in decline, usage increases. When cuts are made in industry, it is due to the fact that demand is down, and in government/schools often the demand for services remains somewhat constant, other than inflation, even in an economic crisis. So these scenarios are quite different. Just to be clear, the library is not asking for money beyond what was needed to operate in 2007. The millage addresses the Headlee rollback, and a very small additional amount to restore funding to 2007 levels. If you want more information on the ways that the demand had increased, and how the library has cut expenses, visit: http://www.ypsilibrary.org/about/millage All in all, it is simple. If those who own homes in the district value the level of service that they receive from the library and want it to remain as it is, the average household will invest less than $20 per year in taxes that it will require to maintain the quality services, collections and programs that the library offers. For any individual household, this is less than the cost of one hardcover book, or a month of high speed internet access, which can easily be recovered by the taxpayer by just using the library once a year. In fact, if you want to see how much the library can save you, visit: http://www.ypsilibrary.org/about-ydl/news/how-much-money-does-ydl-save-you For the collective good of the community, investing in public libraries is priceless.
kenUM
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
Hey don't forget about the Transit millage for AATA on the November ballot. Does anybody know how this millage would be affected if the County wide transit millage passes?
Cash
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 6:10 a.m.
This is simple. When we run low in our budget at home we have to cut expenses, not increase them. Only the bare necessities can stay. We will still have a library without increasing their revenue. YDL needs to take the same look at their budget as I do mine.....there are cuts that can be made. I wonder...the vehicles driving around with Ypsilanti District Library decals on the sides....are those owned and serviced by the library?
Terrin
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
YpsiLivin says, "According to 2009 US Census Bureau estimates, the combined total population of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township is about 82,300. Now, if the library has about 80,000 active library cards and 82,300 possible patrons, that's a better than 97% participation rate, which is highly unlikely, to put it mildly." Your numbers are likely incorrect. The City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, and Superior Township make up 48197, 48198, and 48105 area codes. According to the last completed census count, these areas made up an estimated 127, 361 people. The information can be found at: http://www.census.gov/. Further, I signed up for my card years ago. It hasn't expired. Your card would likely remain valid unless you moved and changed your address with the Secretary of State (when I moved from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti the Ann Arbor Library automatically cancelled by card). If you moved out of State it would be hard for the library to know to cancel your card so the card would likely remain open for a while. Finally, the library also issues cards to non-residents whose's city libraries are part of a reciprocal agreement with Ypsilanti Library. In other words, members of Ypsilanti Library can borrow from the other libraries as well. The Library charges $150 a year for non-residents. It would have no motivation to do otherwise. In these hard times, libraries are important. I borrow books, movies, and CDs from there.
jjc155
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 1:15 p.m.
"Nearly 80,000 residents hold YDL library cards." quoted from the article, obviously someone is wrong, LOL As for someone's employer paying taxes and thus the employee being eligible for a free card is not right in my mind. The employee is not paying the taxes. That like saying that the 100 or so City of Ypsilanti employee's should be eligible just because they work in the city, but live else where. I also dont think that someone who rents should get the card for free. Maybe not the full price but not for free. But maybe this is just my fiscal conservatency coming out.LOL
comm.man3000
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
jns131 - the NYTimes had the article on the increasing privatization of Libraries... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/business/27libraries.html?_r=1&th&emc=th) And YpsiLivin, I don't know where Tom Perkins got the 80,000 figure for library card holders, but I went to the info on www.YpsiLibrary.org/about/millage and it said that 82% of the eligible population now had cards (up from 51% in 2002!) Yeah, times are tough all over, my income is down 50% from 2 years ago. But this organization WORKS & WORKS WELL; I can't say as much about some of the other institutions/initiatives I'm being asked to pay more taxes for this November. The YDL might be referred to as a one of our community's "leading indicators." I'm supporting it. Oh, the supporters also have a good FB site, "YES to the Ypsi Library Millage"... if anyone's interested.
John
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.
In 2009 the Ypsilanti District Library had 65,535 registered card holders not 80,000. This is roughly 82% of its service area. For those folks who receive a free library card because they work in the district, dont forget their employers are also paying taxes to the library just like any other property owner in the district. I use my Ypsi library card at many other libraries in the area at no charge through the reciprocal borrowing program, and I suspect many of those with a free library card would still be eligible to use the Ypsi library with their home library cards as well.
jjc155
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
@bj- thanks for the info. There in lies the problem. If your work with in the district, but do not live with in the district you are basically getting a free membership, where as people who own property in the district, their membership is the cost of what they pay in taxes, thus NOT free. Again Wonder what the number of people who work in the district BUT do not live in the district are, who have memberships? IE: if out of the 80k members there are 1000 non-residents who work in the district, thus getting their card for free. If they were to pay the $150/year membership that would be $150,000 a year "income" for YDL. Thats ALOT of USA Today's, LOL Like someone stated above YDL is claiming a membership of 80k people but the entire YDL district is 82k and change population wise, so atleast to me numbers are not adding up. Also to me there is ALOT of room for YDL to make some cash off of other people other than the taxpayers of the district, who are already paying, through taxation, whether they have a membership or not.
DC175
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.
My Wife and I both make extensive use of the YDL and will both vote an enthusiastic 'Yes' for this millage. The YDL is one of the many things that make Ypsi a great place to live, and they deserve our support both as patrons and as taxpayers. If you aren't taking advantage of the high level of service they provide to our community, then I suggest you do before you decide to cast your vote. I appreciate the counter arguments to millage increases during a difficult economic period, but I suspect that the same arguments would be made against millage increases regardless of the greater level of prosperity. An increase on the level purposed is effectively an insignificant amount for an individual property owner over the course of the year.
averagetaxpayer
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 10:55 a.m.
Libraries are another example of a system that would likely benefit from regionalization and thereby lowering admin/overhead costs. Is there really a need for separate ypsilanti, ann arbor, saline, chelsea, dexter, whitmore lake library districts? Of course same holds true for all the various police and fire depts, schools, parks (state, metro, county, city, township parks???), local gov't, etc. This system under which we operate was set up a very long time ago, in the era of horse and buggy. Maybe a reorg is in order? Industry reviews and reorganizes structures all the time. Maybe its time the public sector do the same?
bj23
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
The fee only applies if you don't live/work in Ypsi/Twp/Superior... from the website: Non-resident cards Non-resident cards are available at $150 per year for those who do not live, work, or own property in our service area and do not qualify through TLN's reciprocal borrowing program. *** http://www.ypsilibrary.org/using-library/library-card
amsims
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 10:34 a.m.
I'm voting for this - I can afford $19 a year towards access to the resources the library provides. It's a pretty good deal compared to any other source for books, movies, music, internet access...
jjc155
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.
anyone know if non-residents who work within the district and get a card have to pay the $150 a year? or are they provided a card for free like tax paying residents of the district? just curious.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
sure i can afford the $19 (or whatever per whatever). i use the library on occasion for study. it's a great building. however, add the $19 to $$ per for police protection + other millage renewals and increases, it's getting a little (no lot) ridiculous. not in this economy plus bad timing. i foresee a millage here that doesn't pass. if i have to chose between police services and library, guess which will win out...?
bj23
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
I think that Ypsi District Library cards are available to people who WORK in Ypsi/Ypsi Twp as well... this probably accounts for a good percentage of those 80,000 library cards...
Mobee
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
To JNS and Ypsilivin - YDL charges $150 per year for a non-resident and AADL charges even more than that.
jjc155
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
I'm a Ypsi Township resident, I work in the City of Ypsilanti and I routinely used both the downtown branch and the wittaker road branch. With that said, the answer is Nope. My property values continue to fall yet "everyone else" (.gov) wants more and more. Also there is no way that 80k TAX PAYING residents have YDL cards (someone smarter than me can do the math what 80k members paying the taxes would work out to). I would like to know the break down of tax paying residents vs rentors and people who work in the district but do not live in the district (as they are not taxpayors in the district either). As for them not carrying USA Today anymore why not go to USAToday.com (just like we all come to annarbor.com) and read the news online.
hypsi
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 9:03 a.m.
Ann Arbor charges alot more than 30 dollars for a non-resident card. http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/librarycard Non-Resident Cards If you don't live in the AADL taxing district but still want to receive the benefits of an AADL card, there's a non-resident fee of $150.00 per year. You can pay the fee in 4 quarterly installments of $37.50 if you'd prefer. The non-resident fee must be paid at the time the card is issued by cash or check. When your non-resident card expires, you'll need to pay the next installment before you can renew. http://www.ypsilibrary.org/using-library/library-card Ypsilanti District already charges this amount..most libraries do, they charge a non-resident the same amount a resident would pay in taxes per year for use of the library.
hypsi
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
For anyone wondering if the library is worth your tax dollars..try this caculator: Personal Library Saving Calculator http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/savings_calculator.html I save over 1000 dollars a month by using my library :] Which includes free adult and children programming, genealogy use (like ancestry.com), as well as books, movies, and other media.
jns131
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.
I just finished reading all the comments. What Ypsi libraries should do is what Ann Arbor does, charge $30 for all non resident library cards. I was floored when I heard this. Especially if you are in Ypsi township and go to an Ann Arbor school. Sucks for the children. So, Ypsi libraries, get on board and start charging. In my opinion of course.
Thomas
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 8:07 a.m.
I am voting for this millage, but not the bus one. I use the Michigan branch multiple times a week and it's always packed! The computers are in use, there are children with parents checking out books. Their dvd collections are impressive and there are very few books I've looked for and not found. I use the library. I don't use the bus. Frankly I can care less about the bus. AATA should just raise prices and get on with it. The library has a survey going. Help them out and tell them what services you do use and what you want to see so they can target their spending. http://www.ypsilibrary.org/ - on the right in the HIGHLIGHTS section. It's called YDL Patron Survey.
jns131
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 7:41 a.m.
I am reading more and more on how libraries are ending up in the private sector. Not sure where I read it but it said a lot of people are finding out that libraries that need money are ending up just like transportation. Getting privatized. Business as usual. Ours uses the library every weekend for something. Now they have stuff going on 7 days a week. Can't keep up. I wish them luck. I am not sure how I am going to vote on this one.
ribs1
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.
This is not even worth arguing about as there is no way this millage will pass.
pastmyprime
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 5:52 a.m.
I save more money each year using the library than I pay in the millage for it. It is a great deal. I have lived here for 24 years and my family uses its resources weekly for entertainment, access to new books, classes and lots more. I will vote for the millage and will urge others to as well. There is such a thing as being penny wise and dollar foolish. Our library is one of the things that make the quality of life in Ypsi better. I can see no evidence of lavish over spending, even on the new building, which I was leery about at first. I now think it was a great investment.
Cash
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 4:37 a.m.
Could the timing possibly be worse? What percentage of residents in Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township are even able to pay their property taxes as it is? And who is receiving an assessment that truly equals the value of their home? Superior is paying a lot of money for a tiny "branch" in the fire station across from the highest crime area in the township. Nothing has developed beyond that as we heard it might when the millage was pushed initially. Superior needs to get out of this agreement now. We are not getting the promised bang for our buck. And forget MORE money!
YpsiLivin
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
Nearly 80,000 residents hold YDL library cards. According to 2009 US Census Bureau estimates, the combined total population of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township is about 82,300. Now, if the library has about 80,000 active library cards and 82,300 possible patrons, that's a better than 97% participation rate, which is highly unlikely, to put it mildly. It sounds like the YDL is issuing library cards to non-resident (read: non-taxpaying) patrons. If the library were interested in my opinion (and not just my tax dollars), I'd suggest that the library cut the freebies for non-residents and ask them to pay for borrowing privileges LIKE EVERY OTHER PUBLIC LIBRARY does. I use the library and so do my children. I can afford the $20 extra per year that the library is asking for, but I don't really like the idea of forking over a couple of extra sawbucks so that non-resident patrons can continue to use my library for free.
Designated Conservative
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.
A vote to raise taxes in the midst of massive numbers of foreclosures in Ypsilanti Twp., an already controversial bus millage vote in the City of Ypsilanti, and the worst economic climate in southeastern Michigan in living memory? Now is not the time for higher taxes, Library Board members, just in case you didn't know that. Live within your means like everyone else who has seen their incomes drop in recent years.... The designated conservative will be voting no on the Ypsilanti library millage on Nov. 2nd.
Josh Budde
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 8:55 p.m.
If this makes it to the ballot I won't hesitate to vote 'YES'. The YDL is a wonderful service, and if there is two things a city can't afford to scrimp on (especially in harsh economic times) it is libraries and schools.
Kristina Birk
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 8:16 p.m.
I'm not a Ypsilanti resident, but have been able to obtain a card since I work in Ypsi Twp. I frequently use the Whittaker branch of the YDL, even more than I utilize the AADL branches (which my property taxes do support). Every time I go the parking lot is at least half full, attesting to the popularity of the library and the usefulness of the services they are providing. I can't think of any new books I've wanted to read in the past few years that haven't shown up in YDL circulation, which is impressive considering how their budget for new materials keeps shrinking. I've started contributing to the YDL through a membership in the Friends of the Library, and I encourage anyone who uses YDL services and can afford it to do the same. Maybe some township residents may find this option more palatable than a tax increase via the millage. http://www.ypsilibrary.org/about-ydl/friends-library/membership
caledonia
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 6:26 p.m.
I don't know how it is for Ypsi, but for a lot of libraries, the long-term building budget and the budget that buys books are entirely separate funds -- one can't be used for the other. If you want them to have newer books, support the millage -- but also make requests and suggestions for what you'd like to see on the shelves.
miatamich
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 5:14 p.m.
I'm voting NO as well, am paying enough taxes for the library as it is. They went over the top when they built the new library in 2002 and should've allocated more of the $$$ for newer books.
ribs1
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.
Great idea. Raise taxes again in a recession.
Martin Church
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
Sorry but I will have to vote NO. Since 2007 I have had a reduction of income of 30% and incene Thursday I have lost my job. At to say it but it is time for the library to become more creative in how to run the operation. Many of us are loosing our employment and will soon be unable to keep our homes while the local governments start to forclose on property because we are unable to keep paying high taxes.