8 Comments
User's avatar
MK's avatar

Library systems are fat cats. All this extra garbage to attract patrons is designed to save their own skins with no regard to making fiscally responsible decisions with taxpayer dollars, and that includes federal grant money.

Essential services, law enforcement vs gardening tools and all of the other fluff is a bridge too far. Maybe we could teach the cops to throw library books at perps to save on tazer costs?

Solid no vote here.

Jennifer's avatar

MK Ha! I'm way ahead of you. I've got my self defense book ready to throw

How to Defend Yourself (Yale Drama Series) - Amazon.com (comes in a full metal jacket)

Jennifer's avatar

Going back to the basics of financial management

https://cdn.ymaws.com/wfca.wa.gov/resource/resmgr/resources_/member_only/WFCACommissionerHandbookRevi.pdf

COMMISSIONER’S HANDBOOK-

Page 20 FINANCING AND BUDGETING

Your District is financed by a limited number of revenue sources with the primary source being property tax levies. One of your primarily RESPONSIBILITIES AS A COMMISSIONER IS TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF FUNDING YOUR TAXPAYERS WILL SUPPORT AND USE THOSE FUNDS IN A FINANCIALLY PRUDENT MANNER AS YOU BUDGET FOR AND MANAGE THE DISTRICT’S EXPENSES. A thorough understanding of the types and limits of your revenue sources and the budgetary process is a critical step in becoming an effective commissioner

“It is incumbent upon each of us to improve spending and savings practices to ensure our own individual financial security and preserve the collective economic well-being of our great society.” – Ron Lewis

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is a junior taxing district providing public library services to all of Clallam County, Washington, United States. The Library System is governed by a five-member volunteer Board of Trustees, the members of which are appointed by the Clallam County Commissioners.

MK's avatar

That last paragraph sewed it all up, and I can't say that I'm surprised.

Jennifer's avatar

MK, yes, bend the knee too!

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The North Olympic Library System acknowledges that the lands on which we live and gather are the appropriated homelands of Indigenous Peoples. We want to express our deepest respect to those peoples past and present, including the Hoh Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Makah Indian Tribe, Quileute Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and the Skokomish Tribe, for their care of these lands throughout the generations. Let us learn more about the histories, cultures, and traditions of Indigenous Peoples. Let us strengthen relationships with sovereign tribal nations to provide an inclusive space fostering innovation and collaboration at the Library.

JJW's avatar

Excellent analysis Jake.

Rita Lilita's avatar

Deputize the library staff?

Rita Lilita's avatar

The term originated in the military but applies to NOLS -"mission creep." It's the gradual expansion of a project, organization, or military mission's goals beyond its original scope. Key characteristics include broadening objectives without sufficient resources, resulting in diluted focus, strained resources, and reduced effectiveness, often stemming from poor planning, leadership's drive for growth, or lack of defined goals. 

The best defense involves creating a clear, strategic, and concise goals, ensuring ALL stakeholders are aligned, and having the discipline to say no to projects that fall outside the core focus. The answer is not more taxes.