John, we do very different things from the public library. Our
responsiblities are centered around the curriculum and in support of
university research and service. 90% of our material expenditures are in the
area of science and technology. Our staff's basic responsibilities
are in assistng students and faculty in pursuit of information that
supports their programs.
We buy very litttle in literature, recreational reading, or
children's materials. We do no community or general cultural
programming. Our building is geared toward the academic customer.
So, there would be little, or no, savings from combining the two
functions. While we welcome community borrowers (for free), there
are many areas in which we can't help them. We routinely refer
our students to the Latah County Library for things in which they
specialize.
There have been several cases in Idaho where the school and community
libraries were combined under the control of the local school board.
In all cases, public library services have suffered, as funds were
diverted to "urgent" school needs, which the board saw as their first
priority.
You seem to imply that the Latah Library is a "State" agency--not so.
Idaho is one of the few states that has NO state aid for libraries.
They're all funded from local property taxes, which is why the 1%
would be so devastating for public library service.
Ron Force rforce@belle.lib.uidaho.edu
Dean of Library Services (208)885-6534
University Of Idaho fax: (208) 885-6817
Moscow, ID 83844-2371
"In America, anyone can become president. That's one of
the risks you take."--Adlai Stevenson