Library may feel heat of higher costs

MORRISON – A recent $700 monthly heating bill at the public library surprised city officials.

For years, the city paid the entire bill, even though it only controls the community room at Odell Public Library, a popular meeting spot. Now, the city is considering some type of cost-sharing arrangement with the library.

Connie Boonstra, the library’s director, said the library board will work with the city on the cost sharing. The library is a separate fund.

On Tuesday, the library board and the City Council had a rare joint meeting to discuss issues between the two entities.

If the library starts picking up part of the heating bill, it could come at a tough time. Recently, the library learned that it may have to pay more for its interlibrary loan service – from $600 a year to $5,000.

The expected rate increase is happening with the merger of three library systems. With the hike, libraries could give their patrons the ability to go online to take advantage of interlibrary loans, Boonstra said.

“The $5,000 is not agreed upon yet. It’s not set in stone,” she said. “It’s a big chunk [of money]. It may have to come out of the book budget. That always gets cut when you’re trying to go find more funds.”

Because of the heating bill, the city is considering charging nonprofit groups for use of the community room at the library, which is sparking opposition. Now, groups get to use it for free. Everything from club meetings to square dancing takes place in the room.

Under a proposal by City Administrator Jim Wise, the city would charge groups $50 to use the room for an event. With the addition of the kitchen, the rent would be $75. The deposit would be $75.

Alderwoman Marti Wood said she doesn’t want the fees to be as high as proposed.

“Maybe I’m out of line, but it seems like quite a bit,” she said. “The community room and the library are a vital part of the community. They are good for economic development.”

She suggested the community room be open to the public.