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Membership Info
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| 11.10.2008 |
Membership FAQs
Who needs to pay a Supporting Membership fee?
People who reside in Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayettte, and Richland counties are members of the Southwest Wisconsin Library System (SWLS) and are being asked to support the Mount Horeb Public Library in this manner. (Some villages in this library system include Barneveld, Dodgeville, Hollandale, Mineral Point, and Ridgeway.) The taxes they pay go to the SWLS, not Mount Horeb Public Library nor our system, South Central Library System (SCLS).
Why do I have to pay?
The Free Public Library is one of the good great ideas and some would say the backbone of democratic community. Our mission at the Mount Horeb Public Library has always been to provide free access to knowledge and information to everyone who seeks it. Unfortunately, funding realities have made it impossible for the library to continue unlimited access for those living outside our service and taxing area: customers who come from the Southwest Wisconsin Library System.
Did you know that it cost us $58,999 in 2003 to provide service to SWLS customers? Did you also know that we do not receive any compensation for such services?
The Mount Horeb Public Library is funded primarily by the village of Mount Horeb through tax funds levied on citizens of Mount Horeb.
The Mount Horeb Public Library is also supported by taxes that are levied by Dane County for library service to Dane County residents living outside of Mount Horeb. This includes the townships of Blue Mounds, Cross Plains, Perry, Primrose, Springdale, and Vermont, as well as the Village of Blue Mounds. Residents of these communities pay a library tax as part of their annual county tax bill.
Membership FAQs cont'd
How much is this annual Supporting Membership?
Three Payment Options:
• 12 months = $100
• 6 months = $60
• 3 months = $30
For the price of four best sellers or less than three months of cable, you get access to over 38,000 books, 3,000 videos and DVDs, 10 high-speed Internet stations, storytime programs, and more.
Does it have to be this way?
Yes and no.
Yes. For now, we must institute a Supporting Membership to continue to provide service to SWLS customers. SWLS customers' taxes pay for SWLS libraries, but does not help pay for Mount Horeb Public Library use.
No, YOU can change things. Presently there is no method for reimbursement of services between the Mount Horeb Public Library and SWLS counties. This can change if you get involved! Ideally, the counties in which you live would contribute money to us to help pay the costs of serving you. We encourage you to contact your legislators and ask them to pass legislation that requires reimbursement for "cross-over borrowing".
Have questions or concerns?
Check out this Fact Sheet [pdf]**
Feel free to contact the Library Director, Lysianne Unruh, if you have further questions.
** Requires Adobe Reader, allowing you to download, view, and print this form and many other documents on the Internet.
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