It is notable that some of the most intelligent and passionate discussions concerning how municipalities can get a grip on local budgets revolves around library funding. The local governments of Wyckoff, Oakland and Franklin Lakes are all debating a proposed bill championed by the New Jersey League of Municipalities which would reduce the amount of funding mandated by the state.
The discussions are, at a minimum, raising public awareness with respect to how state mandates often control municipal spending. The unique position of libraries as the only secular institution common to towns around the nation also makes it one of the more contentious issues to tackle.
The library funding formula, established in 1944, requires towns to fund a library each year based on one-third of a million of each dollar of equalized value in the municipality. The bill being discussed would reduce that to one-sixth of a mill on every dollar, cutting the mandated funding in half. The existing bill was amended slightly in the 1980s which was the last time the state itself increased its own funding for libraries; but there are proposed cuts for funding from the state for the year 2009.
Wyckoff provides over one and a half million dollars to the library which the Township Committee believes is half a million more than is necessary for operating costs. The Oakland library receives over nine hundred thousand, and a surplus exists but that number was not publicly discussed. Franklin Lakes Library also receives over one and a half million with no discussion as to what the actual operating costs are, and only Council member Ramsey has publicly commented offering her support to maintain the current funding formula.
In Oakland, the town council is using Wyckoff’s resolution as a starting point for discussion. Mayor Szabo speculated on other options for municipalities to control excessive surpluses which he deemed to be the main concern, while Council member Chris Visconti argued that libraries cannot be treated as all other municipal departments.
Michele Reutty, head librarian of the Oakland library, addressed the council prior to their discussions and laid out the best argument possible for maintaining the current formula. Repeating well known facts of how library usage regularly rises during economic downturn, she also advocated concern over the wider ramifications. Noting that Oakland and the surrounding towns have displayed a strong commitment to public libraries, she argued that other parts of NJ may not exhibit this same level of support.
Council member Di Pentima appeared to take up this point during the Oakland council’s discussion. He supported the language in the Wyckoff resolution with the caveat that if a town wishes to increase funding to libraries that they not be penalized by the 4% cap on spending which restricts the municipal budget. While agreeing with Ms. Reutty that other towns may suffer, he disagreed with fellow council members who feared the local populace may abandon libraries in their desire to see taxes controlled. He pointed to the successful grassroots effort that led to approval for the new tennis courts as evidence of public pressure being brought to bear where residents have a passionate cause.
The debate was interesting in that it raised questions not discussed, one being the politicalization of libraries. This is an issue that arose nationally during the presidential campaign when reports surfaced detailing Alaska Governor Palin’s actions while mayor of the small town of Wasilla. Mayor Palin inquired as to the process of banning books with the local librarian who rebuffed the mayor’s inquiry for what it was, and in turn found herself in a legal quagmire as the mayor sought to fire her. If the proposed changes for New Jersey’s funding formula leave libraries more reliant on local politicians for funding, will it also open them up to undue political pressure with respect to influencing events sponsored by libraries, authors who come to speak, controversial books, and the hiring of staff.
The discussions taking place in Wyckoff, Oakland and Franklin Lakes are refreshing in their openness and diversity, but comments made by other legislators around the state are indicative of what many librarians fear. Statements by some officials reflect an unwarranted faith in modern technology and a lack of appreciation for a secular institution enjoyed by communities as a whole. Leaving behind the pragmatic arguments of municipalities being overburdened by state mandates, some supporters of the bill have described libraries as providing an out dated service. This theory is often based on their being uninformed on offerings of digital music, movies, and books on tape, as well Internet access. It is also fostered by a misconception of Google as deity, which will be covered in a subsequent Journal article.