BUENA PARK : City to Weigh Taking Over Local Library

The City Council is about to consider whether to study taking over the local library from a struggling special district that has run the facility since 1919.

Colleen McGregor, director of the Buena Park Library District, asked the council to help explore the idea of a municipal library.

McGregor said the state’s financial problems and the continued loss of property tax revenues to the library begs the issue of consolidating with either the city or Orange County’s library system.

“There is current study throughout our state to examine the fundamental reorganization of local government responsibilities, and the district feels it (is) in the best interest of our public to be a party to these studies,” McGregor recently wrote to city officials.

Since 1919, the library has been a special district that derives 85% of its funding from property taxes.

The council is expected to receive a report today from City Manager Kevin O’Rourke on whether to pursue a study.

O’Rourke said options include city staff studying the matter or hiring a consultant. O’Rourke said he will recommend that if a consultant is preferred, the library district pay the cost.

“There’s an incredible level of work that needs to be done before an appropriate recommendation is before the council,” he said.

Library trustees voted Sept. 1 to examine either the city or the county overseeing the library.

Trustee President William Hardin said he believes the library should look at alternatives because the future funding for special districts may be eliminated.

“They’ll get rid of library districts because there won’t be enough money to support them,” Hardin said.

Trustees prefer to remain an independent library district but realize that may not be possible.

“If it’s inevitable, I have no choice,” said Trustee Helen M. Bohen. “But I’d hate to see something so special taken away.”

McGregor said a study examining the county providing library services also will be done.

If the ultimate decision is to dissolve the library district, then the five-member Board of Trustees would be eliminated. Should the city take over, the council would probably appoint citizens to a commission or committee.

O’Rourke said while officials are willing to look into the possibility, Buena Park is facing its own financial crisis and the city has no extra money to help support the library.

But McGregor said if the decision to become a municipal library becomes a reality, “it would be our hope that the district carry over revenues so it wouldn’t place a financial burden on the city.”

O’Rourke said that questions to be studied include not only cost issues but also whether such a move preserves and protects the quality of library service to the community.

Trustees agreed that the city appears to be the better alternative because of the financial problems of the county, which include recent cutbacks at branch libraries.

Trustees also said they are skeptical about whether the county could provide the same level of service as the city.

“If the city takes over, I think it will be more responsible to the people of Buena Park than the county would,” Hardin said.