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Originally Posted by tubemonkey
There's more to it than just the passes themselves. There are things like designing, distributing, and marketing. A little bit here and a little bit there, eventually adds up.
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True, but we don't know how much money that is or where it's coming from.
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Especially in light of a drastic cut in bookmobile services and a projected $1.9 million shortfall in the library's 2012 budget.
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I don't think library funding is the zero sum game you think it is. For example, I don't think libraries are allotted X amount of dollars and told to run their programs on that. I think some money is earmarked for certain projects.
When I lived in San Diego, the MTS (local public transportation agency) was simultaneously improving making structural and equipment improvements while also having to cut back service. Why? Because they got money for structural and equipment improvements that
couldn't be spent on service. In other words, it would be illegal for them to spend the money on something else.
Speaking of San Diego, they're building a new main library while they have to cut back on the hours they're open. Why? They got voters to approve a bond to build a new library building. The bond is for building, not operating.
We should give libraries the money to buy more books, but if they're not being given that money, it seems wrong to me to fault the library for spending the money they are given the way they're told to by the person giving it to them. It's like when you give money to your alma matter, you can say "this goes only to the theater department." Then they can't spend it on a laser that sends you to The Grid to fight the MCP.
