and the city of Salinas made it's choice as to what to do with it's tax dollars
that's what the article was about
spending of federal tax dollars is what you're referring to, an entirely a different subject
the majority of funding for libraries are from the city or town and state - the passage of Proposition 98 in California hurt their libraries
from Library Trends:
STATE FUNDING OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) tabulates public library statistics each year, primarily from information supplied by the chief state library officer in each state. The extensive tables give statistics on a variety of public library subjects, from population served and number of librarians with an MLS degree, to the per capita costs for materials and personnel. This article focuses on statistics concerning libraries serving populations of 10,000 or fewer, and in particular, the income sources received by those libraries. In the latest four editions of the NCES report, total state aid to all U.S. public libraries amounted to nearly 8 percent of the total income for all libraries in 1989. In 1990, this rose to 14 percent and dropped in 1991 and 1992 to 13 percent and 12 percent respectively (Chute, 1992, 1993; Chute & Kroe, 1994; Podolsky, 1991). Like federal aid, state aid is only a small portion of the total income of public libraries. By far the largest segment of public library income is provided from local sources.
TYPES OF STATE AID
Ladenson (1982) identifies three kinds of state aid programs for public libraries:
1. grants available to every public library that meets required standards;
2. grants to support the operation of cooperative public or multitype library systems or networks; and
3. grants to assist in the construction of public library buildings.
There can be no generalizations on how the states employ formulas to distribute funds. Each state utilizes a different formula. In one case, Hawaii's state library agency is the sole provider of library services on the
Some formulas are simply based on the population served by the public library. As long as the library meets certain state-set minimum standards, it receives funding based on a population formula. Some states require that local support in the form of tax levies or appropriations must meet a certain threshold. It is difficult to pinpoint what specific states are now doing, for funding formulas, as levels of funding, have changed radically over the past decade. Certain cases, such as the law adopted in Michigan that provided state funding for the entire Detroit Public Library budget, are significant. In this particular case, the legislature considered the library a statewide resource facility and passed the law relieving city taxpayers of the burden of levying local taxes for the library budget (Ladenson 1982, p. 63).
Ladenson (1982) indicates the final report of a study, Improving State Aid to Public Libraries, commissioned by the Urban Libraries Council and issued in January 1977, is as valid today as it was when issued. The findings of the study conclude:
1. There is a need and valid rationale for state government to increase aid to public libraries.
2. The fiscal condition of many of the states is such that it permits them to assume a greater proportion of the financial support of public libraries.
3. Library expenditures have not kept pace with similar public expenditures or with inflation.
4. The historical development and growth of public education and public libraries are parallel and represent a comparable response to the same societal needs for education and knowledge.
5. Public libraries have felt the effects of the fiscal crunch more than most local services, because, more than most functions, they have depended on local revenue sources for their funding.
However regressive local property taxes may be, relying on increased funds from state library agencies can be problematic. The passage of Proposition 98 in California and the ensuing state legislation provided for the rerouting of funds earmarked for special districts--including libraries--to the public school system. "General fund libraries also lost support as the library and other departments of the county competed with local law enforcement for funds" (Anderson, 1994, p. 401). The resulting drastic cuts in state aid affected rural as well as urban libraries in the state. Although an excellent goal, increased state aid to public libraries remains an elusive dream in most states.
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