Recommendations of the Library Funding & Structure Task Force Presented:

1. Recommendations of the Library Funding & Structure Task Force Presented: June 1, 2011 Cherry Hill Public Library, Monroe Township Public Library June 2, 2011 Parsippany Public Library, Secaucus Public Library June 3, 2011 Princeton Public Library

2. The Funding & Structure Task Force • A pro-active response to library funding threats • Appointed May 2010 by NJLA President Susan Briant Task Force members: Keith McCoy, Chair, Somerset County Library Norma Blake, State Librarian Susan Briant, Haddonfield Public Library Leslie Burger, Princeton Public Library Chris Carbone, S. Brunswick Public Library Cindy Czesak, Paterson Public Library James Keehbler, Piscataway Public Library Eileen Palmer, LMxAC Bill Paullin, Atlantic County Library Mary Romance, West Orange Public Library Victoria Rosch, NJ State Library Margaret Shapiro, NJ Library Trustee Assoc. Pat Tumulty, NJLA Executive Director Robert White, BCCLs

3. Task Force Purpose and Charge: • Assess viability of existing NJ public library funding formulas • Explore new options for funding • Make recommendations to assure stable and equitable funding for NJ public libraries in the future

4. Phase 1 Completed • Over the last year, the Task Force reviewed how libraries are organized and funded across the US • Various methods were assessed, including dedicated sales and use taxes, funding formulas and voter-approved taxing districts • The Task Force was most encouraged by the District Library concept • Subcommittees analyzed District Library law in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Wisconsin and Texas to develop the best attributes for NJ • An official recommendation was drafted

5. Documents released – May 2011 • Preamble to the Funding and Structure Task Force • Funding and Structure Executive Summary • Elements of a District Library Agreement • District Library FAQ All available on the NJLA website

6. What is a District Library? • a new option in state law • made of single or multiple communities • all benefits and responsibilities of independent government entities • Library District millage rates approved by voters

7. Why become a library district? • Library funding has repeatedly come under attack in recent years • Ratables, the basis of library funding, have been on the decline in recent years • Urban libraries are hit especially hard in an economic downturn • Laws allowing municipalities to take surplus funds from libraries have recently been passed

8. A District Library would: • Put the funding issue to a vote of the people • Provide independent control of all funds, buildings and personnel • Require Trustees that are trained in their roles and responsibilities • Allow libraries from surrounding towns to combine to form a district • Benefit multiple members of a district library through shared services

9. How is a Library District Established? • Initiated by Library Board(s) or local Council(s) by letter filed with the State Librarian to pursue District status • A Planning Committee is required and must follow an established process overseen by the State Librarian • An Operational Plan must be created and approved by the State Librarian • Local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, set a referendum to establish the District structure • The referendum must include the dissolution of the original Library Board(s) and the setting of the initial millage rate

10. What is the Planning Committee? • A required element to bring about the conversion to a District Library • Is responsible for creating the Operational Plan for the Library District • Is comprised of 4-6 members per participating community, with each community to include at minimum a library Trustee, library Director or designee, a representative of the Mayor or Council and one citizen

11. What is the Operational Plan? • Outlines how Library services will be provided • Must be approved by the State Librarian • Can not reduce current services • Specifies when the District would take effect • Establishes the Board of Trustees • Includes a dissolution clause and a process for changing to a different status in the future

12. Who Governs the Library District? • Still governed by a Board of Trustees • Trustees may be elected or appointed, as per the Operational Plan • The make-up of the Board will also be defined in the Operational Plan • There will be mandatory training requirements for Board members with automatic removal if not completed (comparable training standards for Boards of Education and Planning Boards will be used)

13. How is the Library District Funded? • A range of millage will be offered in the law, based on equalized assessed valuation • The range will account for possible increased expenses as full autonomy is realized • Buildings etc will be transferred from municipal control to district control for minimal amounts • Districts will contract their own insurance, health benefits etc or may join or form consortia purchasing agreements • Districts will be eligible to participate in SHBP, PERS,etc. • Districts will be able to bond for capital projects

14. What Standards Will Be Followed? • Existing standards will remain for all libraries • New standards for District Libraries will be aspirational to encourage continuous improvement • Current services can not be reduced as a result of the establishment of a Library District

15. There are Many Details… • The Elements of a Library District Agreement outlines many of the details that need to be addressed when converting to a Library District • The Task Force recommendations were reached by consensus and are open to enhancement based on your feedback • Task Force members are available to answer questions today and in the weeks after these Forums

16. THANK YOU • This proposal will need legislative and gubernatorial approval to move forward • These presentations are being held for the NJ library community to provide feedback on this proposal • If the proposal meets with favorable reaction, NJLA would seek to have bills introduced in 2012 to create a Library District option