I am really shocked at the lack of NEW books at the Coastal Branch. I can't seem to find any purchased after Jun 2009. I have asked numerous times and I get the same response. There is no funding for the Library. And that they have not been able to purchase new books for a while. I asked and was informed that they did not execute their complete FY 2009 budget and the funds have not been released back to them. They are still waiting. I assume I (which is not wise) that the unused funds are going to the other services snack fund accounts.

This is a sad situation. Our Walton County citizens both young and old need this vital service. We must invest in the education and the continued education of our citizens or all that Walton County is working toward will be to no avail. I am a retire military officer and worked many years in force structure (planning the future) while taking care of todays force. The same philosophy could be used here. Learn from history, examine today and focus on tomorrow. The economy is in a sad state of affairs. Most are looking at any way to save money. The library should be there for all to use with up to date books. It seems that there are more people are using the Library each time I go to the Coastal Branch.

We have many friends here and away (that have vacation homes here or visit) and so many refer to this wonderful county as "Walnut County". It is an embarassment. And it is the leadership they refer to not the residents. I have talked with many that like to visit but don't want to invest because of how tax dollars are invested back (or lack of) into the community.

Libraries are right up top with Fire, Police, and Schools. We must fund the library. I have asked when the county budget meetings are held and when they are announced and no one seems to know. They must not adveritise because they think a concerned citizen might show up.

Education is the key to success. Walton County Officials please open your eyes.

I happened upon and interesting post and had to insert it.......


""The WCTA conducted a non-scientific survey in 2007 concerning the priorities for funding of county programs and agency's. Although this survey is now 2 years old we believe that the study still has merit as we are faced with funding priorities. Over 1300 people participated in this survey in Walton County.

We will probably update this survey after this years budget process.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/SurveyResults.pdf

This is a link to the original 4-page survey.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Survey Handout.pdf
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Thank You Walton County !
Our Hotline received 1168 calls during it's first month of operation.



Last edited by WCTA; 09-02-2009 at 10:23 PM. ""

Just found the above post interesting and had to insert it.

I, too, am disappointed in the library's book purchases. Not only are there few new books; the ones that are purchased confuse me. One may find a lot of "light" reading from a religious point of view; there are lots of books about what appears to be some kind of sci fi...but nothing I've ever seen in a literary review...
and yet when I have filled out the little green form requesting a book, most of the time, it is never ordered.

The people who work at the desk in the library are wonderful and they try to explain things...but....it's pretty obvious they are not the ones making the decisions.

And then there is the closing of the library on Saturdays. I have asked about this, as I know others have. There was supposed to be a meeting to reconsider the schedule, but last time I asked nothing had been done.

I have been to the library on Monday nights from 5 - 7 for the last few weeks (the information was that Monday nights were the busiest--not Saturdays). Well, for the last few weeks from 5 - 7, there have been maybe six people in addition to my grandson and myself...not including the people who are working at the desk--who apparently drive down from DeFuniak.

I fail to see how this is more economical than keeping the library open from 10 - 2 on Saturday so that people who work Mon - Fri would have a few hours to visit the library.

The entire issue makes no sense to me.

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

I guess it is all about perspective. I've lived in towns with exceptional libraries. When I moved here, SoWal didn't have a library. When the new one was built, it had so few selections. I've watched it expand greatly over the last several years and am pleased with the growth, but still find the selection to not be worldly. I'm sometimes surprised to find the selections I do find, but my guess is that they are donated. I noticed the library was having a book sale last week. Where do the proceeds from the book sales go? Shouldn't the money be applied to the purchase of new books?

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The book sale is this Saturday. And the proceeds do go to the library. I checked before I gave four bags/boxes of books for the sale. I have also learned they go through the books and if they are somewhat up to date and there is no copy in the library they keep it. Sounds like good sense to me.

I have ordered things at the Coastal Branch that are supposedly in Defuniak to find out a week or so later they are "missing". Can you believe that individuals steal from the Library? I am totally amazed.

can the library get its own funding through a special issue on the ballot? like those done for the fire dept., etc.? maybe that would be the answer. does the county library have its own board of trustees? could a "friends of the library" group open the library on saturdays via volunteers?

There is a Friends of the Library group, they run the gift shop...I was told there were volunteers that had offered to help on Saturdays...not sure why that hasn't happened.

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

you must be kidding. when i worked at the cincinnati public library (awesome - 2nd greatest circulation in the u.s.), our most-stolen title was (ta-da) the Bible!

Interesting. Hope it helped them. And they recycled them to others.

The library is hard up and the librarians are as frustrated as we are.

I was thinking that it would be cool if the library could have a wishlist on Amazon or Sowal and people could just buy those books for the library.

If I knew what they needed, I am sure I could find some of the titles in Mama Scooterbug's bookclub books, my shelves, or just buy them. I give them my airport reads already.

Haven't noticed a major lack of "new" books - they have a great selection IMO and I keep finding new authors or new books from my faves.

__________________
The enemy is ignorance.

Excellent idea, scooterbug44!!! excellent. I think you should present that idea to the higher ups at the library.

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I think this is an excellent idea. In fact, there are probably many ways that the community would support the library if the word got out.

I donate books on a regular basis both for the shelves and for the book sales. My grandchildren have also donated puzzles for the children's section. We love the library and spend as much time as possible there and I can not say enough good things about the staff--it's just that somewhere there is a disconnect.

I guess it depends on the kinds of books one is looking for--I just have been frustrated that some of what I want seems to never show up, even though I think the desk staff have requested the purchase. They are wonderful at getting books from other branches/places when this library does not have it. And, there are many of the same kinds of books that seem to always been on the shelf, so they are being ordered, but not checked out.

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

Are you sure they are steeling the Bible, and not just moving it to the fiction section?

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I know the money coming in from the library book sales goes to the library, but I don't think it goes to buying new books. If I am donating books, it is because I want them to be shelved for the public to read, or if they are duplicates and also available at the other branches, I want the proceeds to go solely for the purchase of buying new selections, whether that be Books, CDs, DVDs, magazine subscriptions, computer software, etc.

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I assume that you want an increase in taxes? Because that is what would be required to fund increased service at the library.
There are still people in Sowal who live on dirt roads. Think they want to cut road funding to pay for more library books? Want to cut funding for the police, turn violent people out of jail, cut fire and ambulances? How about parks and boat ramps?

Money is tight in our homes, in our county and should be tight in the Federal government if they had any sense whatsoever. The only beef I see is paying for fire twice, but the good people in DeFuniak Springs and Freeport could say the same thing.

What is your problem?

All we want to do is find a way to help fund a public resource we think is important.

Donated books, fundraising, and volunteer hours aren't depriving anyone of anything.

Yes, times are tough - even more of a reason to support a place that provides services and resources to people of all ages.

And I like my dirt road.

__________________
The enemy is ignorance.

Idlewind
Are you implying that you are paying for fire protection twice? If so please explain how that is. Thanks.

Iris
Based on your comment below, what snack food accounts are you talking about? I work part time with the County and I can assure you I have not seen or been given a snack food account.
"I assume I (which is not wise) that the unused funds are going to the other services snack fund accounts."

All I have to say on this subject is: I am a retired media specialist with a Master's Degree in Educational Media/Library Science and after hearing of the budget problems of the library system in Walton County, I offered to volunteer my time for at least 3 days a week to help out where needed. I have yet to hear from anyone. This action speaks loudly to me.

Look at your tax bill FF2 - if you live in the SWFD taxing district you do pay twice. The BCC portion of you bill includes the budget for fire protection in Areas outside the area covered by SWFD.

If you live in the area covered by SWFD you will find an amount to fund the SWFD. A person in the SWFD pays for protection in the northern portion of the county and and pays for protection in the SWFD area.

A person living outside of the SWFD area pays only for protection in their area and does not have a portion of the SWFD budget added to their bill.

Remember that we as residents voted to create the South Walton Fire District.

One should also note the difference in response time, equipment and training that we have in the SWFD area. There is a tremendous difference, and yes we pay twice, but we voted to do it.

BH

__________________
Thank You Walton County !
Our Hotline received 1168 calls during it's first month of operation.

The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library is a group of volunteers in the county. They actually organized the first library in South Walton, meeting in a room in what is now Emerald Coast Plaza. They spearheaded a drive to build the library, raising funds from private contributions from individuals and organizations, grants from various agencies, and matching funds from the county.

The Friends continue to support the library in a number of different ways. They contribute A $600 monthly for purchasing NEW books and materials. They purchased the computers in the library for public use, and pay for the internet connection. Much of the furniture in the library was supplied through the Friends. Friends, in a partnership with the TDC's "Art in Public Places" maintains art displays of local and award winning artists and are changed monthly. There is a gift shop staffed by Friends which generates funds for the library. A memorial brick project allows groups or individuals to remember loved ones, generating funds for the library. The Bets Haynes Memorial Scholarship has benefited recipients who are furthering their educations in library and information technologies. The quarterly book sale results in triple benefits; providing readers with books at a nominal cost, allows patrons to dispose of unwanted boods, and raises funds for the library. Friends of the Coastal Branch Library stages a Christmas for the Birds each year, as well as an Easter egg hunt. There is a childrens reading program which gives away books purchased with money raised by the Friends. The yearly Prime Time program is sometimes underwritten by Friends, especially during these times when there are ZERO funds allocated by the county. There is also ZERO funding (down from over $25K yearly) for books, periodicals, audio and video media. Friends is doing it's best to step in and fill the gap as much as it can.

Currently there are fewer than 200 people in Walton County who are in the general membership of Friends and we need many more. For a minimum donation of $10 you too can become a Friend of the Coastal Branch Library and plug in with your time and talent. We would love to see you!


Sincerely,
Bonnie J. Rickly
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Friends of the Coastal Branch Library

PS: There is a book sale tomorrow (Saturday) at 9AM. You can join Friends, buy a bunch of books, and maybe commit to buying a periodical renewal. No money for those, either.

thank you for posting. I had heard about this and wonder why on earth your services, and the service of others who apparently also volunteered, are not be taken advantage of...time to ask Commissioner Jones I guess.

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

I know that you all do wonderful things--especially the children's program and all the nice things you mentioned.

Do you have any idea why the volunteers' offer is not being accepted? It is a shame not to have the Library open more often so that everyone can enjoy it at a reasonable time -- especially people who work Mon-Fri.

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

So is anyone putting this together?


Lots of libraries already do this.


(type 'library' into the "find a list" text entry and search. 2864 listings!)


I buy a shipment of books and junk from amazon at around once a month or so. I'd be happy to toss in a book for the library with each shipment.

So as someone who lives north of the bridge, on top of the 25 dollar MSBU I also pay for fire, I also pay a tax for Fire and EMS services? I find this interesting, I also find it interesting that property without buildings in my neighborhood do not pay the $25 MSBU. Why is that? I also find it interesting that SWFD used to recieve moneies from the County, as did all FD's prior to the WCFR and some still do.
Thanks

It could be said that your questions imply that pavement on slow streets is more important than library services. I would disagree. By having a great library, the citizens would have access to better education, and could therefore be a more valuable workforce, which might entice more businesses to relocate here, which would thus increase the tax base, which would in turn create more money which could be used to pave those few remaining dirt streets. I can tell you one thing for certain, paving those streets won't improve the workforce in this area, and will never provide more services for the library.

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So you are saying people from LA would rather have boat ramps than libraries....humm.....I'm from LA. Have you been to a park around here lately.....they keep them up nicely and no one goes to them. Had numerous picnics this summer at the parks and there were no kids. Guess they were on all those boat ramps. I see your point.

PS my sister lives in LA and has 8 boats....she would agree with you.

I did not say which of these services I use or need. What I am saying is that tax money is limited and we cannot do everything that everyone wants. I am also saying that quality roads are usually a first step to providing infrastructure.
I applaud the volunteer efforts and ideas to supplement tax monies to provide the service. The first post seemed a call for increased tax monies to be spent on the library. Everyone just needs to understand that adding money for the library requires either an increase in taxes or taking from another area.

I am not sure this is necessarily so; there may a better way to allocate the funds/services without adding more taxes. It is a matter of priorities and looking at more efficient uses of the dollars we have. I am just not sure this is always done. For instance, I find it interesting that almost every place in the state has privatized road paving especially since we have had a Republican governor. Yet, in Walton County we have a public works department that is apparently in the business of paving roads. I'm not a road contractor, but I would bet that in this county, it would make more sense to hire a contractor to pave roads, instead of having the county do it...maybe then, we could have paved roads for those who want them; and a library that is open at a time when working people and their children could use it.

Someone is going to have to show me how it is more efficient to close the library on Saturday; turn down the offer of volunteer staff; and have it stay open for three more hours on Monday and have two or three staff people drive from DeFuniak to work the desk; for maybe 20 people who come into the library. It just makes no sense.

Edit: I understand that planning is still ongoing for utilizing volunteers to staff the library so that it can be open more hours. Perhaps the additional revenue returned to the CC from the Tax Collector (see: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/ret...nues.html/url]) help alleviate the budget crunch to the point where the library can at least be opened again on Saturdays--at least for a few hours.

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

FF2

SWFD receives about $690,000 per year from the BCC budget for providing EMS service in the South - I believe it was about three years ago that the county stopped giving them $40,000 per year for Fire Services in the South as they are an independent taxing authority.

As far as the MSBU goes - a public hearing was held setting the rates for various types of buildings. Commercial property pays a higher rate than Residential. I do not believe there is a fee assessed for undeveloped land.

__________________
Thank You Walton County !
Our Hotline received 1168 calls during it's first month of operation.

I would agree somewhat, but not fully. If for example, Hwy 331 were a dirt road, we would have less tourists in South Walton. However, if Juniper Street, home to about 8 residences, were suddenly paved, the quality of life won't change much for the people in Walton County. Adding content to our libraries can help people grow and perhaps have a more qualified working base to attract businesses. THAT, is providing real infrastructure. Paving a few short streets in a neighborhood where many like living on a dirt road doesn't do much at all really, except keep some cars a little more clean. In my former neighborhood, I loved that it had dirt streets, as did many other locals in that 'hood. The County decided to pave it and to do so, they cut down all of the beautiful large Oak trees which made a nice canopy over the 15 ft wide dirt road. They cut a swath which was 60 ft wide, and then paved, painted a center double line, with reflectors, dug storm water ditches. Sure, the streets are paved, but so what. I think most residents in that hood were more than shocked and some, I'm told, were wanting to pull some stunts straight out of an Edward Abbey novel, to stop the massacre and paving.

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I have attached links to three documents that I believe to be germain to this thread. The first link is the budget request presented to the BCC by Dan Owens-Library Director. This request was "scrubbed" thru the budget process in July.

The pages at the end of the request show utilization by various groups at each of the locations and for the Bookmobile.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Library Budget Request.pdf

The following link summarizes the total budget approved by the BCC after the "Budget Scrubs" and two "Public Budget Hearings"

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Library Final Budget.pdf

The following link is an update on the numbers shown in the budget request. These numbers show the actual expenditures with encumbrances through June. These numbers are for 8 months of the fiscal year and were the latest available at the time of the budget scrub process. They were what the WCTA reviewed during the scrub process.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/Actual To-date for Library (8 months of LY) .pdf

BH

__________________
Thank You Walton County !
Our Hotline received 1168 calls during it's first month of operation.

I must have struck a nerve. I was making a comment and you blinked. Under the last cuts the snacks were cut out! I am sure no one has a line item on any budget that says "snack food" that would be really stupid. But then again, "Walnut County" as my other friends refer to my beloved Walton County. I do make my own choices and this is where I decided to live many years ago.

No nerve struck here. I have worked part time since 200o have never even recieved a free soda. This must be your attempt to criticize the employees who work for you and demean them. Good job, glad I can be off service to you, feel better?

Guess you work part time for the wrong department! You didn't see the free candy last week?

Not into trick or treating, sounds like you are though.

[quote=FF 2;624364]Not into trick or treating, sounds like you are though.[/quote

Yep, I am, on a lot of levels. I should have picked up candy everywhere I went.....the kids would have gotten more from this household.

No Amazon wish list yet? Are books for citizens a top priority or are funds for librarians the top priority?

You know, 30A Shopper, that snarky question is uncalled for, and unkind iMO.

No where in this thread has anyone asked for money for our librarians.

We are asking that consideration be given to opening the library so that people who work Monday through Friday and their children could have better access to the facilities; and that more funding be made available by some means, to purchase more new books and periodicals.

If you wanted to contribute in a positive way, what is stopping you from starting the Wish List--you could call the Library Director Monday and ask for a list of items that you could purchase the next time you buy from Amazon.

People are volunteering their time to support the library for our community--we are asking the county officials to speed up the process for using those volunteers.

You may not need it, but there are many people in the county, many children, who do need the library and many of them can't get there Monday through Friday from 8 - 5 or on Monday nights until 8 p.m.

Our library staff does a fine job under difficult circumstances. They are dedicated people who really care about the people in the community and want to see them have access to materials that will further their education. They care about the children and work with them everyday to supplement their school work; and to instill in the very little children a love of books and learning through the story hour and reading programs.

The library is a special place in the community and the people who work there are special people--they deserve more salary than they are currently getting, but they put their service before themselves and continue to do their best under difficult circumstances.

They could use our support--none of them needs a snarky comment about their salaries from anyone!

__________________

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

All new book dollars have been cut from the budget. This is said as fewer books lower library usage, and lower usage makes it hard to justify newer books.

Coffee was cut out from the BCC purchases several months back.

All the candy I ever saw was paid for by an individual. Never saw any candy or snacks come through on the EAL and they do not have a petty cash system.

Using volunteers is a great idea, but accountability becomes an issue. If you are going to be open you need a minimum number of staff. What if a volunteer decides not to volunteer that day on short notice? How do you handle those situations without driving up your costs?

In DFS the Friends group sells books for $1 for a walmart bag full. This is a really great deal, but to discourage people from putting them on ebay and reselling them, they stamp them all with 'Friends of the Library'. I never understood this, if they think the books are worth more why don't they put them on ebay, if not then they should not make the books, once someone buys them, if they want to resale them, so what? I know of a few that no longer buy the books because that is what they were doing with them.

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I'm not allowed to be snarky anymore? Rats. Where's the fun in that. I've already offered to contribute, but I think someone from the library should set this up, not me, so they know what it's all about.

Why can't they use staff to get the minimum and then supplement that w/ volunteers? The paid manhours could stay the same, but it ensures the library has the staff needed to be open for more time. I'd certainly like to see the library open on saturdays again.

IMO the DFS group could easily be making more money - there were alot of people at this saturday's Sowal sale paying 50 cents for paperbacks, $1 for hardcovers, and more for special books, not just $1 a bag.

Would selling select donated books on E-bay bring in more money, or would it just be more of a hassle than it's worth? (Don't know much about e-bay or used book prices).

Edit: I already left a message at the library about the Amazon list - will keep you updated.

__________________
The enemy is ignorance.

This was originally suggested on 11/6 - Friday. The library is closed on Saturday - or did you forget? It's Sunday. Library still isn't open, can't talk to anyone about a wish list yet. Some of us have been busy with a used book sale. Did you go? It was great.

Sheesh! Give a person a chance to catch their breath!

i'm a librarian for a different area and type (academic library). i can tell you from experience working at several types of libraries that it can be complicated to set up volunteering; especially when you are talking about more than just the gift shop. if you could give the library director a spreadsheet list of responsible volunteers with email addresses and other contact info, possible times of service so they could have backup and OK to do background checks (these days that's pretty much a requirement when working around children even as a volunteer) you've greatly helped them get started on track to opening more hours. you'll also have to consider increased use of electricity etc for more opened hours and they will probably have to get someone from staff in to supervise; time away from their own family on a weekend (possible childcare and gas costs too). your organized enthusiasm WILL go far toward more convenient hours as long as hou have volunteers willing to put their efforts where their mouth is so to speak.
i know from experience where i am that i started here about 15 years ago with almost 1/2 the students and more librarians- now we have 2X (5,800)the students and fewer librarians (3 plus staff of 4 with 1 out sick) and with unpaid furloughs we can't always keep up with the "to-do" list like the Amazon possibility you mention that would be really interesting AND helpful but possibly a bit time consuming to start up. good luck and you should get response-it sounds like a good crew of librarians wanting help. :)

Staff is and has been at a minimum - in fact below minimum because of previous years budget constraints. The Saturday closings are in an effort to cut down on building costs. Whether it is effective remains to be seen, and it isn't set in stone at this point. No staff or staff hours were cut, which explains the commute from DFS for some employees.

The Library Friends doesn't care who buys the books, as long as they buy them from us! DFS Library Friends is a completely separate organization from the Friends of the Coastal Branch Library. And yes, selling books on ebay is a BIG hassle.

I hate my dirt road.

Who has free candy? I have run out of halloween candy, and need a refill.

Isn't the reeport Library open on Saturdays? You can alway make the trek there. It really isn't that far.

Hope to have an Amazon "wish list" for the library ready at the beginning of next week!

__________________
The enemy is ignorance.

We went to the Library this week and paid for a couple of periodicals for the upcoming year for the Library. There is no current funding for the Library and donations are requested. What a good feeling. It feels so good to do for others, to help our community, when we can. We have no children so this is our way to give a little back to our future.