GilfordGrok

Kate Hamel, President of the Friends of the Gilford Public Library is asking Gilford voters to support the Selectmen’s recommendation for a slightly higher amount than the Budget Committee. Why the difference between the Selectmen and Budget Committee’s recommendation? It’s really quite simple. The Selectmen, at the request of the library Trustees, omitted the library wages in the formula to define “operating expenses”. Apparently, the Budget Committee agreed more with fellow member and now candidate for Selectman, John O’Brien’s question; “wouldn’t you include wages in the operating expenses of any business?”

What the Trustees of the Library are saying is that it shouldn’t matter that wages spiked up 16.3% in the last two years, you should ignore that and be happy they only asked to level fund all other items. I’m not trying to be sarcastic here; they truly believe that the increase in use justifies this request.

The voters of Gilford have to decide how far to expand library services and at what pace. According to Richard Young, candidate for Budget Committee, he stated; “the library is a recession sanctuary where unemployed people looked forward to report to every day like a job.” According to Kate Hamel, “libraries train our workforce”.  Do you believe that? I thought the mission of the library was to contain books and periodicals for the public’s use. Apparently, today’s library is so much more. Movie nights, “gaming” nights, unemployment center, cooking classes, yoga classes, knitting classes and outing events. Who knew?

Even if you support all this expansion of services do you believe it should grow without limits? Is there a point where modest growth is acceptable? For the last two years the library has request double the percent of growth than nearly all other municipal departments. Is the library more important than the rest of the town’s services? The library also has the added benefit of a novelty store and donations from the Friends of the Gilford Public Library. The Friends also apply for grants that, unlike other government spending, never show up in the budget. In addition to the huge spike in wages they also received a senior “volunteer” funded from a senior program. (I know volunteer and funded is an oxymoron but we’re talking about the government) I also find it extraordinary that the library has no problem finding donations for controversial things like “Guitar Hero” games but can’t find any donations for needed items like extra chairs.

The Budget Committee’s recommendation provides 3.1% growth for the library. (In line with all other departments)  Please come to the Gilford Municipal Deliberative Session on Feb. 4 to support your Budget Committee’s budget that more than adequately funds all Gilford’s municipal services.