Library expenses in budget
I just noticed that library expenses are higher the economic development in the allotment of expenses for municipal taxes. Every time I go to the library there are 3 staff members working along with an array of students or volunteers. There does not seem to be enough traffic at the library to warrant that amount of help. Not to mention that each librarian is given full benefits, pensions etc. is there not a way to bring down these expenses and hence save tax dollars or reallocate these funds?
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Tara commented
Can we not fire all library workers and rehire and hence reopen our libraries... many people would gladly take their jobs
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Sar commented
There should definitely be a review of library conduct by staff. The librarians have non stop conversations while they sit behind the desk googling personal interst items, reading books, reading magazines, and gossiping. Way overstaffed
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John commented
I received a phone call from library workers union tonight. While I enjoy the services of the library I find the library way over staffed! I applaud the mayor for not meeting the strike demands.
The town is not bullying workers as the message expressed, it is refusing to allow another cent go towards this huge expense on tax payers! It could be run much more efficiently than what is currently happening. The librarians act like they are at a coffee house instead of a high paying job. I say force them back to work or rehire a new crew at half the expense and run the library with one or two workers per shift max. Two if there are programs running. -
Mayor John Paterson commented
Karen, we have considered that situation very carefully. Our representative Hilda MacDonald is very knowledgeable with everything Library and that is why we submitted her name along with a few others as potential "public" representatives. The Library Board selects the representatives and we are happy to have Hilda as Leamington's rep. When a conflict arises, she is well aware of her responsibility to declare the same.
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Karen commented
Shouldn't the representative from our area not have personal ties?
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Anonymous commented
Thanks for the info Mr. Mayor. These are all great observations and points. I wondered to how pays the staff when I went to the library and also would like to see more accessible hours. I find it overstaffed personally.
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Mayor John Paterson commented
Anonymous: here is some contact info for the Essex County Library System. Simply Google the Essex County Library Board and you will find more useful information, or contact any of the Board members directly.
The Essex County Library Board is responsible for the Essex County Library System. The Library Board consists of 7 members. Essex County Council appointed the following 4 councillors to the Board for the term December 2014 to November 2018:
Bart DiPasquale
Hilda MacDonald
Richard Meloche
Nelson Santos
Meeting detailsWhere
Meetings are held at the various County Libraries.
When
4th Wednesday of each month (no meetings in July and August) at 7 PM.
Minutes of the Essex County Library Board.
Visit their website for more information about the services provided by the Essex County Library.
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Mayor John Paterson commented
Anonymous. The librarians do not receive a pension from our Town nor does the Town of Leamington have the authority to determine their pay scales or staffing requirements. Leamington relinquished those authorities with the transfer of our Leamington Library to the County system. Each of those factors are determined by the County Library Board and Chief Librarian. While I suspect your opinions to have some validity, I would once again suggest that you share them with the Essex County Library Board during one of their public sessions, or you could contact Board representatives directly and discuss it with them. As far as Council keeping an eye on how taxpayer's money is spent, Leamington pays the same costs for Library services as every other Municipality in Essex County.
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Anonymous commented
I would suggest that the town share the concerns for it is you job to keep careful eye on taxpayers money... Librarians are well paid, and receive pensions from our town... The town of Leamington seeing that this is such a large expense should go in and see how many idle employees are their and push to reevaluate how many employees are needed at a time there, whether the current hours are best for our townspeople, and whether or not we are spending our money wisely. By no means am I saying that a town library is not necessary but I do believe that it is not run efficiently, nor given the hours the library is opened is it in the townspeople best interest. There are many volunteers at the library and I do not think that the volunteers are accounted for when we consider how many people run the library. Usually there are 3 staff members sitting behind the desk chatting away for hours. Talk about a very cushy job.
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Mayor John Paterson commented
Z, when Leamington surrendered its Library to the County Library system back in the 90's, the ability to determine staffing, wages, hours etc., were assumed by the County Library system. Your concerns should be shared with the Board members of the County Library system.
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Z commented
Maybe it's time to review the staff, hours and have an opinion how our money is spent. Hm
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Tina commented
For the amount they are spending on library the hours should be later... My kids never have time to go because by the time they are done extra curricular and supper the library is closed. Heaven for bid you want to get a book out at 745 and face the dirty looks from the librarians.
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Mayor John Paterson commented
The Library is budgeted for and run by the County of Essex. The budget, staffing, etc, is determined at that level not here in Leamington. We just provide the building and pay the bill submitted to us by the County Library system. We will be budgeting for a "possible" new Library building in the next 2 - 5 years. Mayor Paterson.