Financial difficulties lead to increase in library fees

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Over the past several years the San Manuel community has lost many assets such as the grocery store and bank. The San Manuel Library Board of Trustees is fighting hard to keep the library from joining the list of lost community assets.

The San Manuel Library is a private non-profit corporation administered by a five-person elected Board of Trustees. The library is affiliated with the Pinal County Library System and they very generously help us with materials, i.e.: books, DVDs computers, furniture, etc.; but, the maintenance of the building is the responsibility of the library, itself. Maintenance meaning not only the upkeep of the building, but, the cost of the utilities, insurance, fire and burglary prevention, etc.

The simple facts are that the library brings in approximately $300 per month, from fees/fines, copies/ prints and faxes, whereas the library’s bills add up to approximately $1,000 per month. We do receive some financial help from Pinal County and, in the past, have received substantial help from corporations in the area. Due to the economy and relocation, our corporation donations have been adversely affected.

Please be aware that there are no salaries paid out by the library, other than a two-hour per week janitorial employee. Our director is a Pinal County employee paid by the county. All other staff members are volunteers.

In the next few weeks, you may notice some building upgrades and updates occurring at the library. The cost of these is being paid for by a generous donation from BHP which is specifically earmarked for these projects.

We are pleading our case publicly so that the community will understand our need to raise the cost of some of our services, fees and fines.

Effective Nov. 1, Library price changes will take effect. Black and white copies will rise from 20 cents per copy/print to 25 cents per copy/print.

DES applications, formerly free, will now have a flat fee of $2 for application copies and a $2 fee for faxing the application. All other DES related correspondence will be charged the regular prices. There are no longer “free” faxes.

Card blocking of library privileges, which is now set at a fine /fee balance of $5 or more will be lowered to a $1 or more fine/fee balance, causing any cardholder owing $1 or more to have library privileges blocked until fee/fine is paid.

The lost card fee will rise from the current $1 fee to $2. Please note: library services will not be provided without a card being presented. Volunteers will not longer be looking up card numbers for patrons who do not have their card or card number memorized.

A guest pass, only available for those out of the community, formerly free, will now have a fee of $1.

Again, we are a non-profit organization and we are only raising prices to help our financial footing to be a little steadier.

Of course, donations of any amount are welcome. A donation jar is located on the check-out desk for the convenience of patrons. Mail-in donations may be sent to San Manuel Library, 108 5th Avenue, San Manuel 85631.

Rest assured the San Manuel Library Board of Trustees is working hard to maintain this library, so that it will remain as important an asset in this community as it has been in the past./s/ Linda Lee

/s/ Verne Fischer

/s/ Pat Collins

/s/ Louise Krouse

/s/ Chaille McGrew

San Manuel Library Board of Trustees

Staff (5795 Posts)

There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.


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