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Because… Libraries!

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Illinois

Townships are not the only public bodies in the crosshairs of Republican leaders scrutinizing their tax bills and looking for taxes to slash.

“They never go after the libraries,” Algonquin Township Republican Party Chairman Glen Swanson said.

“Illinois has the highest-paid librarians in the country,” McHenry County Republican Party Chairwoman Diane Evertsen said.

Both Swanson and Evertsen shared their concerns about libraries last week with state Sen. Dan McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods Republican who stopped at the Crystal Lake Colonial Cafe to drink coffee with his constituents.

The 26th District leader said he had heard an out-of-town visitor once describe an area library as something like the “Taj Mahal.” McConchie pointed to the “very property-rich southern part” of Lake County, where “every year they take the max they can under the tax caps” and build “massive” facilities.

“Sure,” McConchie said, “they provide nice services to their folks, but I walk in there, and there’s people that are just sitting there on the clock doing absolutely nothing.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:29 pm

Comments

If it’s good, you can count on the GOP to oppose it.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:32 pm
Coming for the libraries seems like the next logical step for Republicans nowadays.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:33 pm
What do we do with the books after we close the library…burn them?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:37 pm
It seems any resource available to people who don’t have copious disposable income, that they might utilize to learn something new, is anathema.

Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:38 pm
==“Sure,” McConchie said, “they provide nice services to their folks, but I walk in there, and there’s people that are just sitting there on the clock doing absolutely nothing.”==

I think he also might be describing the General Assembly on 99% of their session days.

Comment by don the legend Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:39 pm
Conversely, the GOP lawmakers who starved public health systems for 2.5 years could have been described as “just sitting there on the clock doing absolutely nothing.”

Comment by Mayoral intern Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:41 pm
This is class warfare. Been in lots of libraries, people who work there are always helpful.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:41 pm
Yeah, pick a fight with the people who have literally ALL the information.

Comment by Anonish Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:41 pm
This is kind of eerie, because just a couple days ago someone published an opinion piece on Forbes.com proposing that Amazon Book Stores take over local libraries.

Republicans can’t stand the idea of any institution that doesn’t deliver a profit to somebody.

Comment by Love my library Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:42 pm
Hey Sen. Dan McConchie, I watch the legislature on-line from time to time and it seems that you folks spend a lot of time on the clock sitting around doing nothing.

Dear GOP, there are those of us who feel the party has left us, complaining about overpaid librarians isn’t helping.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:44 pm
Does the same logic apply to Barnes and Noble? Ever seen their employees doing nothing? No.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:46 pm
Hey senator, shhhhhhhhhhh.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:48 pm
“I think he also might be describing the General Assembly on 99% of their session days.”

@Don, you beat me to it. On many session days that’s exactly what’s going on a lot of the time with the rank and file members of the legislature.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:49 pm
“There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing.”

Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:49 pm
=If it’s good, you can count on the GOP to oppose it.=

wow what a constructive comment you gave there. I really liked the part where the GOP opposes all good things.

Comment by Iggy Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:53 pm
Such a small line item on the property tax bill

Comment by Paul Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:54 pm
Didn’t they see the ‘professor’ who just got flame roasted for his Forbes piece on eliminating libraries?

Comment by Sonny Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:56 pm
“….but I walk in there, and there’s people that are just sitting there on the clock doing absolutely nothing.”

They should be shushing you.

Comment by City Zen Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:57 pm
Highest paid? BLS says otherwise. (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes254021.htm#st)

Comment by mrv1218 Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:00 pm
Libraries are highly valued/trusted by the public, Pew research as shown that year over year. Not many public/governmental agencies enjoy such high marks. In Illinois Libraries are very much run by a locally elected Board that makes decisions including budgeting/levying in the best interest of each unique community.

“Most Americans view public libraries as important parts of their communities”

http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/libraries-2016/

Comment by Texas Red Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:01 pm
You’re really going to win over suburban moms by attacking libraries. Weren’t they the first thing Rahm got serious pushback on when he came into office and started talking about cuts?

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:01 pm
The better question is what should the role of libraries be in the internet age. Does every library need extensive stacks when a request for a physical book could be handled by inter-library loans? Some libraries are already investing half or more of their collections budgets for electronic books rather than paper editions. That seems like the right way to go, especially as smartphones become ubiquitous across the economic spectrum and ebook access replaces most (but not all) use of physical books. Staff can then focus on helping the public navigate the electronic information. The discussion could then be about a smaller physical footprint for libraries rather than eliminating them.

Comment by muon Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:01 pm
My favorite item from the article: ““I’m appalled by that kind of rhetoric,” said Crystal Lake Public Library Director Kathryn Martens, who earns $150,273 a year with salary and benefits, according to payroll records.”

That line should have been changed to read: “The community is appalled that the Crystal Lake Public Library Director Kathryn Martens, earns $150,273 a year with salary and benefits, according to payroll records.”

Comment by Occam Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:02 pm
=wow what a constructive comment you gave there. I really liked the part where the GOP opposes all good things.=

Speaking of constructive comments, where is yours?

of course the GOP is big on jobs, just not ones that pay well.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:03 pm
FYI: Librarians aren’t the people sitting at the front desk checking out books.

Illinois is 5th in the annual mean wage of librarians.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes254021.htm#st

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:03 pm
I agree with Muon.

Comment by Saluki Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:03 pm
I like libraries as much as the next person, but they’re on the way out. Any municipality thinking of building a new one should think again. Banks are closing branches because people simply don’t use them anymore. It makes sense.

Use the money on a critical need.

Comment by SSL Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:03 pm
–Radical Candor@RadicalCandorIL
To be fair to McConchie, the GOP isn’t big on book learnin’ these days… #twill twitter.com/capitolfax/sta…–

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:08 pm
muon, libraries are already the training location for internet usage, they also have online libraries that you can check out and download to your electronic devices including audible books for the vision impaired, they offer programs for children and seniors, they often are the hub of the community. They are already doing what you recommend and more.

Comment by illlinifan Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:13 pm
I almost agree with Muon. Clearing out stacks leaves room in the libraries for more programming. Like maybe teaching people effective research skills and why you should verify every single thing you read online.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:13 pm
Public libraries provide a tremendous benefit on tax dollars, especially for those of us at the lower end of the income scale. But I wouldn’t expect Senator McConchie to know anyone like that. You want to save tax dollars? Why do IDOT crews always have three guys watching for every one guy doing real work? Address that and leave my library out of it.

Comment by Jakita Wagner Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:14 pm
As society changes, and as technology changes, it makes sense to occasionally re-examine our government services. How do we deliver them, who many are they reaching, are any of the services now redundant with other services the private sector is supplying? Many changes have happened–as the newspapers.

Does that mean libraries are on their way out? No, and in some ways they are more important than they used to be. As the director mentioned in the article, they do more than just their stereotypical role of information access–they also become event venues, community gathering spots, and can touch demographics that otherwise would miss out.

None of that means they should be looked at and brought into line with appropriate changes, budgetary and otherwise. The sky is falling reaction here isn’t even conducive to making better libraries–do commenters here thing libraries will be best serviced by being untouchable?

Comment by Liandro Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:15 pm
muon - most major publishers do not allow libraries to loan e-books. And ebook popularity itself has leveled off- many people prefer physical books. There’s also research that physical books encourage deeper reading by kids than ebooks. Libraries are indeed going to have to adapt, and as others noted they have been, but I wouldn’t write the obit on hardcopy just yet.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:17 pm
Apologies for the grammar, heh.

Comment by Liandro Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:18 pm
Well, Liandro, we know some folks in Dixon didn’t look too closely at the books for about 20 years.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:22 pm
Forget librarians, have you seen how much fire fighters sit around when they aren’t “helping” someone?

Comment by Montrose Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:22 pm
Libraries are no longer just a building filled with books waiting for someone to come and ask for one. Yes they are investing more in electronic resources, but not in the ways you think. E-book use plateaued a few years ago. Physical materials, especially in children’s departments, are as popular as ever. But even with inter-library loans you need to have materials of your own. Perhaps you don’t need to order 15 of the new James Patterson and get 10 instead. Libraries work to regularly evaluate their collections to make sure they meet the needs and wants of their communities.

Libraries are also commonly used by those who do not own a computer at home or have reliable, if any, internet access at home. Then there are their meeting rooms, literacy programs, test proctoring, and generally a place to look up information you may not be comfortable looking up around your family like about your questions about your own sexuality.

Egon Spengler was wrong, print isn’t dead. And neither are libraries. They have been changing and adapting for years.

Comment by Anonish Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:22 pm
“There’s also research that physical books encourage deeper reading by kids than ebooks.”

I realize this is off-topic, but I could never get into e-books for this reason.

I consume articles like crazy via computer/my phone/etc., but for books I just can’t get the same effect unless I physically have it in my hand. I thought maybe it it was an old dog/new trick thing…but if the research you mentioned is accurate maybe it’s across-the-board?

Comment by Liandro Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:22 pm
The Koch brothers will be delirous on this one. Supressin’ books ‘n readin’ is high on the list.
The GOPies should be proud.

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:23 pm
“…didn’t look too closely at the books for about 20 years.”

So I should be AGAINST taking a hard look at library finances? It would seem your comment supports my point…but maybe your point is something altogether different?

Comment by Liandro Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:26 pm
Paid 3.4% or $70 of property tax for the library for a gorgeous facility and knowledgeable staff. Librarians often have Master degrees.

Best deal I can think of. Would gladly pay whatever it cost for this incredible community resource.

Comment by Barrington Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:30 pm
So it’s come to this: literacy is the enemy of the GOP. And vice versa. I don’t like the dems any better than I ever did, but this is the other choice? No.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:33 pm
This is the sort of malarkey the national GOP engages in that every person in Illinois would do well to distance herself or himself from. There are serious conversations to be had about the direction libraries should go in in order to best serve communities, but you can’t have those conversations with people like Glen Swanson, because his concerns are not in earnest.

Comment by Chris Widger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:34 pm
I would also like to add that there are few full time positions in libraries. Most have numerous part-time positions along with interns and volunteers. Picking and bullying librarians really is low.

Comment by Barrington Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:35 pm
I use a book reader and borrow from the library using it–that said, the other three in the family hate electronic books and use the library for just about every type of media and the events they have there. The only thing I would change is integrate them better into community education which is a natural fit.

Comment by Archpundit Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:39 pm
lake county democrat, there are very strict limitations on lending ebooks, but they can be lent. I can’t lend an ebook to another library via interlibrary loan, but I can allow a registered library user to download it. They do have due dates, and the advantage here is once your lending period is up the library gets it back w/o the borrower having to physically return it.

Comment by Anne Elk Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:39 pm
The comment “why should you verify everything you read online” stunned me.Because a great deal of online information is simply inaccurate. Libraries are places where you can research, read, contemplate, and verify sources Relying on information one may obtain online, leads to misinformation, and lord knows we have enough of that. Attacking one of my favorite place in the world, the library, really strikes at the heart. What are these people doing? Well, we know what they are doing - attempting to appeal to the “Base.”

Comment by Professor Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:40 pm
Now, I know I’m painting with a bit too broad of a brush here…but why is it that the GOP is constantly against everything education related. Is the idea that we make America great by reducing our collective intelligence? What exactly is the threat that they see?

Comment by Left Leaner Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:41 pm
Forbes pulled the article. Maybe the Republicans should “read” the room.

Comment by Sonny Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:46 pm
According to PEW research library usage has declined. This isn’t 1850 or 1950 and to spend money to build a huge infrastructure just doesn’t make sense anymore. Any unit of government should be willing to take a hard look at who they serve, how their service is used and what changes are needed.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:52 pm
As a former library board member, I can say from personal experience that libraries watch their pennies as closely as any tax-funded institution. They’re an invaluable asset to the community.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:56 pm
So just the typical GOP “I don’t need no book learning” line that they’ve been pushing for 30 years?

Comment by TaylorvilleTornado Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:59 pm
“Why are we paying so much for State parks? I went there and there wasn’t anything but trees and birds! What a waste!”

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:59 pm
Agree with Arch. I get ebooks from the local library very easily, but not everyone likes them.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:00 pm
Besides the importance of literacy and reading and all of the other services libraries provide, let’s not forget they are one of the few places exhausted parents can take their kids where it’s quiet. Parents love libraries for many reasons, but there is a special attachment due to this factor.

Comment by Archpundit Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:01 pm
I’ll bet pretty good money that libraries can show more value to their communities than either of these county chairpersons can. And likely far, far more than Dan McConchie.

Comment by Mr. Smith Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:07 pm
“I went to a State park and there was nothing but trees and birds. What a waste of tax money[banned punctuation]”

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:10 pm
=== As a former library board member, I can say from personal experience that libraries watch their pennies as closely as any tax-funded institution. ===

Which isn’t saying much considering tax-funded institutions don’t watch their pennies too carefully. And I’m saying this as a local government elected official.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:15 pm
“property-rich southern part”

I like McConchie makes a dig at other communities for being “rich” ? Hawthorn Woods has an average household income of nearly $180,000 - so that’s not rich ? I wonder if he is trying to say something else.

Comment by what the what Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:17 pm
==Illinois has the highest-paid librarians in the country==

Let’s try this again . . .

So what? Is there a point there somewhere?

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:25 pm
==The community is appalled ==

I’m appalled at the complainers

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:26 pm
My Grandma was a librarian (had a degree and everything). My Dad is a former library board member for the town I grew up in. He could (and still will) talk to you for hours about the benefits of libraries and how much they manage their finances as efficiently as possible. They routinely financed new initiatives and upkeep on the building without raising taxes, while other local entities raised them as often as they could.

As a line item in your property taxes, libraries are an absolute bargain.

Comment by ChrisB Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:30 pm
Somebody needs to call Kask Jackson, tell him that Librarians are under attack, and ask him for a comment.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:38 pm
As an elected library trustee in my hometown, it is frustrating to see this line of thinking. For the amount of classes, events, and services a library provides, we are a bargain compared to other items on a property tax bill.

Comment by Lunchbox Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:46 pm
==Illinois has the highest-paid librarians in the country==

Let’s try this again . . .

So what? Is there a point there somewhere?===

The point is that the state and national GOP’s position is that librarians make too much cash while hedge fund managers, banksters, executives, and multinational corporations don’t make enough.

Comment by Deadbeat Conservative Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 3:22 pm
=Which isn’t saying much considering tax-funded institutions don’t watch their pennies too carefully. And I’m saying this as a local government elected official.=

As someone claiming to be an elected government official that is an indictment of yourself.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 4:07 pm
As a former library board member for a small town in Central Illinois, I was always embarrassed by how little we could afford to pay our librarian, who holds an MLS degree and has brought our library into the 21st century (we still had a card catalog when she was hired 15 years ago.).

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 4:12 pm
Libraries are the government version of typewriters. In times of financial distress, services need to be prioritized.

Comment by Califorina Guy Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 4:41 pm
The last thing the GOP wants is an educated electorate.

Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 5:55 pm
==Libraries are the government version of typewriters. In times of financial distress, services need to be prioritized.==

We can start with consolidating the myriad of abatement districts and local taxing authorities in Illinois as a means of clamping down on administrative costs.

Let’s leave the institutions designed to provide educational access to the community, including and especially the poor, out of this.

I pay quite a bit in taxes. I don’t need a cut this badly.

Comment by TKMH Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 6:15 pm
Funny that commissioners in corrupt McHenry County use a library in Lake County as an example. Couldn’t even find one in their own borders?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 6:23 pm
Thomas Jefferson had the largest library in America that became the beginning of the Library of Congress. I like real books and using a library. So far as I know the approval of the taxes and what the library has is a somewhat democratic process. I do not support Amazon taking over libraries. There is a lot of information in libraries that is not online at this time, significantly local history and genealogical information.

Comment by lost in the weeds Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 6:33 pm
–So I should be AGAINST taking a hard look at library finances? It would seem your comment supports my point…but maybe your point is something altogether different?–

No, what I meant, Liandro, is before you harrumph-harrumph about “library spending,” maybe you “Dixon civic leaders” should explain how Rita robbed you blind of $48 million over 20 years and lived like an Arabian horse sheik in plain sight?

Don’t lecture me. Don’t lecture anyone. Seriously — no one else was in on it? Who are you kidding?

Because, if there is a good explanation for that, I haven’t heard it yet.

It’s the difference between “ideological onanism” and “doing your job.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:38 pm