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July 23, 2009

Voters will decide library's future

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Last updated: Thursday July 23, 2009, 7:31 AM
BY MICHELLE SARTOR
Northern Valley Suburbanite
NEWS EDITOR

Government leaders will let Demarest voters decide the future of the Borough's library in November.
It will be up to voters to decide in November if the library should become a municipal library instead of an association library. Council members unanimously voted July 13 to add a referendum question to the ballot asking to establish the Demarest Public Library as a free municipal public library. The library is currently a private association library as part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS).

If voters approve the measure, the library will still be a member of BCCLS, but will receive more money for projects and have greater potential for grants.

"As a municipal library, our funding immediately increases to comply with the law," said Margaret Shapiro, president of the library's board of trustees.

According to state law, funding for municipal libraries must be one-third of a mill on every dollar of assessable property in the municipality. A mill equals one-tenth of a cent. As an association library, funding amounts have been increasing each year in Demarest to move closer to the third of a mill.

Councilman Brian Bernstein said the Borough pays nearly one-third of a mill to the library already. "We're just shy of that now," he said. "It makes no sense not to be a municipal library."

In April, when BCCLS Executive Director Robert White attended a council meeting, he said one-third of a mill would be about $476,000 for the Borough. This number may change each year, however. Bernstein said the state librarian is expected to announce the one-third of a mill around Oct. 1, before the general election in November. He also is anticipating that the number will be "slightly less" than the amount for 2009. According to the municipal budget, the Borough is paying $344,364 in library aid for this year.

In addition to getting an increase in funding, other money may also be available to the library if voters approve the referendum.

"As a municipal library, we will be eligible for grant monies for construction and technology," Shapiro said. "The library, as a vital part of our community, will be able to offer much more to our residents."

Bernstein said library hours may also increase, which would benefit residents.

Back in April when council members were reviewing the municipal budget, they questioned the amount of money being paid into the BCCLS system and to the library versus the benefits.

"We didn't like having second class status," Bernstein said. "We'd rather pay the full amount than be provided with any less benefit."

Mayor James Carroll hopes voters approve the measure so that the library can apply for additional funding through state grants. "This is probably a referendum that has been long overdue," he said.

Bernstein said aside from additional grant eligibility, becoming a municipal library will benefit the town in the long run. He said Demarest has been lucky to have Library Director Edna Ortega, but when she decides to leave, the association library distinction could hamper finding a good replacement.

"If it's not a municipal library, it's much more difficult to find qualified people," he said. "It will provide greater longevity for the future."

Shapiro is excited by the prospect of the municipal library. "Some municipalities are trying to close their libraries. This is really unique in tough economic times," she said. "I want to thank the mayor and council for their support and trust that the residents of Demarest will agree that a free municipal public library is best for our community."

E-mail: sartor@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6703

Posted by tumulty at July 23, 2009 5:42 PM

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