Library Plan Blends City Control, County Structure

A group of city officials is close to unveiling a proposal that would keep the county’s financially troubled library system intact but give individual cities more control over how their branches are operated and funded.

A committee of city managers is expected to present the proposal next week at a meeting of the League of California Cities. Some league members, such as Irvine, have threatened to pull out of the 27-branch system and run their libraries independently.

But the committee concluded that breaking up the system would make libraries less efficient and could result in even more severe service cuts. By sticking together under a new governing structure, the libraries would continue to enjoy the economies of scale while allowing communities a stronger voice in setting hours and service priorities, the panel found.

The draft plan comes in the midst of a financial crisis that has forced the library system to slash its budget from $27 million to $22 million over the last five years. Libraries face an additional $5-million hit by the end of the decade, making more cuts in hours and services a certainty.

The trouble began in 1991 with the state’s decision to balance its budget by cutting the amount of property tax revenue received by special districts such as the library system. In recent years, the county has tried to reduce the effect of the tax transfer by using its reserves, which will disappear by next year.

Although the city managers do not propose a bold new method for funding libraries, they do suggest a revamped operating structure.

Under the plan, which was contained in a League of Cities agenda mailed Thursday, the system would stop tapping its dwindling reserves, a move that would likely result in a tighter 1996-97 budget. The managers said the regional libraries in Irvine, Garden Grove and San Juan Capistrano should have the most extensive hours and services because they are used by the most people.

The funding structure for the 24 remaining branches would be altered under the plan to take into consideration the amount of money each city puts into the system versus the amount it gets back in services. Irvine and a few other cities have complained their residents donate more tax dollars to the county than they receive in library services.

Each branch library would receive a minimum allocation to pay for basic operations. But the county also would develop a menu listing additional hours and services available if city government or community groups contribute additional funds.

Finally, the report suggests that the Board of Supervisors forms a library commission made up of city officials to help govern the system. The commission concept also was suggested earlier this year by a consultant hired by the county.

Irvine Councilman Greg Smith said that although he is interested in examining the city managers’ findings, the idea of breaking free from the county remains an attractive option.

The Board of Supervisors and various city councils are scheduled to discuss the library issue over the next few months.