To the Editor:

Public library funding depends upon the specific circumstances and needs of the community that it serves.

 

The Massena Public Library is proposing changing its service area to that of the Massena School District, the largest population district in St. Lawrence County (16,681). Libraries like Potsdam, Canton and Ogdensburg are primarily funded by school district residents, with populations of 14,482, 12,531, and 10,098 respectively. The larger the population that a library serves logically has greater funding needs.  Massena far outpaces the other 18 county libraries with 8,677 borrowers compared to the next closest library, Ogdensburg. 

 

Currently, the Massena Public Library receives just over $500,000 in local funding, or about $31 per resident, with a proposed funding of $40.76, comparable to Potsdam Library with per capita funding of $41.21. 

 

Massena has the second largest building at 15,447 sq. ft., trailing only Ogdensburg (16,000).  This brings greater heating, lighting, cleaning, and maintenance costs, as well as library staff to monitor the building and help patrons.  Most area libraries have only a few thousand square feet, commensurate with the size of their community.  Only Canton and Potsdam were open more hours than Massena. 

 

In 2022, the most recent year with information available for libraries, even though usage patterns were still returning to normal, Massena led all libraries with 48,650 visits (Ogdensburg next with 28,177) and had the second highest program attendance (3,199).  A greater number of visits and programs necessitates greater staff to assist patrons, check books in and out, and aid in planning and running programs.  By total amount of material checked out, Massena was nearly tied with Canton with 41,110.  Massena has nearly the highest number of print books in its collection, to be loaned to resident patrons, non-residents and sent to interlibrary loan to other libraries.  In fact, Massena loaned the largest number of books to other libraries, as well as received a large number in a big resource and cost sharing program with other libraries. 

 

For comparison, the Norfolk Library with total funding of $110,059 and a population of 4,453, had 5,803 visitors, 1,372 program attendance, and 3,656 books checked out. 

 

The Massena Public Library has the second highest amount of local public funding in St. Lawrence County, and the director, staff and trustees work diligently to provide the best possible library service to the residents of Massena and the area.  This funding is used judiciously for print materials, staff to assist patrons and building expenses appropriate to the population, number of visitors and usage that the library receives.  To continue to serve the community, the Massena Public Library is seeking stable and predictable funding from the larger population user base of the Massena Central School District. 

 

Joseph Savoca, President 

Board of Trustees 

Massena Public Library 

Massena