KENOSHA COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

 

2010 Budget Narrative

 

The Kenosha County Library System (KCLS) is an agency of Kenosha County established according to Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes to provide for the extension and improvement of library services throughout the County. It is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the County Executive. KCLS carries out its objectives through service contracts with the Kenosha Public Library and the Community Library, which are the two public libraries in the County.

 

1. Reimburse Kenosha County Libraries for Non-Resident Use

Reimbursement for Non-Resident Use and the County Library Tax

The main KCLS program is to provide open and equal access for all County residents to all public libraries in the County. The cost of open access is paid from state and County Library Tax revenue. The County Library Tax is levied only on those municipalities that do not maintain a local library. The City of Kenosha, the villages of Silver Lake, Twin Lakes, and Paddock Lake, and the towns of Randall and Salem are exempt from the County Library Tax.

Reimbursement Formula for Non-Resident Use

Kenosha County uses a statewide formula to reimburse the Community Library and the Kenosha Public Library for the cost of open access. This formula is based on data from the last completed year and takes the percent of annual non-resident usage as measured by checkouts at each library times the operating expenses of the library for that year, excluding capital costs and expenses paid from federal grants.

Reimbursement for Cross County Use Among Kenosha, Walworth, and Racine Counties

KCLS also contracts with the Lakeshores Library System to provide access for Kenosha County residents at libraries in Racine and Walworth counties, as well as provide access for Lakeshores Library System users to Kenosha County libraries.

2. Assign State Aid for the County Library Computer Network and Suspend Technology Grants to Libraries

Share Costs of County Library Computer Network Central Site

This budget continues cost sharing for the maintenance of the central site components of the countywide library computer network. The Kenosha Public Library houses and staffs the central site for the computer network, has purchased the equipment, and pays part of the central site computer equipment maintenance costs. This KCLS budget funds part of the ongoing central site maintenance costs and the cost of the Internet link to the network. Due to budgetary constraints, this funding will only allow for basic network maintenance and Internet access. The budget does not include the cost of routine network hardware and software upgrades in 2010.

Suspend Library Technology Grants to KCLS Member Libraries Due to Budgetary Constraints

This budget suspends the traditional practice of granting funds to the Kenosha Public Library and the Community Library for their telecommunications costs to connect to the countywide library computer network, as well as assistance for the ongoing maintenance of peripheral computer equipment. Due to severe budgetary constraints these funds will be suspended in 2010. KCLS plans to reinstate these grants in future budgets.

3. Other Services

Through its resource library agreement with the Kenosha Public Library, KCLS also provides interlibrary loan, delivery, and consulting services to KCLS member libraries and offers bookmobile service in areas of the County not served by a local library.