Library dispute heats up
Spokane Valley residents who’ve been meaning to curl up with a good book might want to head to the library soon.
As of Jan. 2, they could find the doors to the Valley library branch locked, and they could be denied services at the Spokane County Library District’s nine other branches.
The district’s board said Tuesday it will cut off library services to Spokane Valley residents if the city and the district can’t settle on a contract. The board said its move would be made out of fairness to the district’s other patrons, who pay for library services based on a method with which the City Council doesn’t agree.
“We are playing hardball, but I feel that we have to,” said Ann Apperson, the board’s vice chairwoman.
On Nov. 2, the Spokane Valley City Council chose the district over a private company for the library services contract. But the city doesn’t agree with the method the district used to calculate the $2.27 million estimated first-year value of the contract.
The council wants the amount to be based on usage, determined by the number of residents who applied for library cards at each branch, plus some other costs. But the district’s other patrons pay based on property values.
Mike Wirt, the district’s director, said libraries are like fire protection: they’re available if you need them. Several services don’t require patrons to have cards, so it’s hard to track use by any particular group.
Board members were surprised that the council first chose the district’s proposal for the contract, then said it didn’t like the billing method in the bid.
“I feel a little bit like Charlie Brown, like the football was pulled away,” said Joan Dunham, who served on a city committee to study the bids.
“I really think the council is misreading how important this is. No one is complaining about the cost of our library.”
Later Tuesday, Mayor Mike DeVleming said he’d have to look back at his notes to say whether he’s heard from citizens who say they want the city to save money on the library contract.
Meanwhile, several citizens have testified in support of the district.
Board members also were upset that contract negotiations are coming so late in the year — again. Because of the same wrangling over usage versus property values, the 2004 contract wasn’t finalized until February.
In the end, the district gave in to the city’s method, for the one-year contract.
“If I had a crystal ball at the time … I would have voted no to that compromise,” trustee David Sani said.
The board decided Tuesday to give the city an ultimatum, voting to not budge on the method of calculating the contract amount.
They directed district staff to prepare layoff notices for employees because if the city doesn’t end up contracting the district, about one-third of its budget will be gone.
If a contract isn’t agreed upon, the Valley branch will be shuttered, and residents won’t simply be able to hop over to the Argonne or other branches, either.
Their card privileges will be denied, board members said.
DeVleming, who attended the meeting, also stood firm. The council instructed the city’s staff to negotiate a contract based on usage and there are no plans to change that course, he said.
Deputy City Manager Nina Regor said negotiations should begin this week.