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Sunday closures leave Mesa libraries crowded: Public computers in greater demand
(Tribune, The (Mesa, AZ) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Mar. 29--Danielle Mershon stood patiently for her turn at a computer station inside Mesa's Main Library on a recent weekday afternoon. After a 30-minute wait, with seven people ahead of her in the queue, the 22-year-old Mesa resident gave up.
"It's frustrating," said Mershon, as she left the building. "I need to apply for school online, but I can't hang around endlessly."
Outside the Red Mountain branch, Mesa Community College student Addriana Castaway said she has been affected by the library's closure on Sundays, part of $1.6 million in recent budget cuts.
"That's when I used to work on my college essays," Castaway said.
These days, patrons make a dash for the computers Tuesday mornings at the Dobson Ranch branch in west Mesa, now that it's closed Sundays and Mondays. Many are there looking for jobs online and applying for unemployment benefits.
Many residents told the Tribune that recent library cuts, especially reduced hours, hurt as the economy has forced them to cut cable TV and Internet at home, scrimp on buying books, and turn to library online resources.
Libraries across the country are reporting use increases between 20 and 30 percent in this economic downturn, but it's also when cities are cutting back on this deeply American institution of public access.
Mesa has had to slash its budget, cut back hours, lay off librarians, and whittle its materials budget to half from two years ago.
"It's a toss-up between police officers and firefighters or free access to books and resources," said library director Heather Wolf.
At the same time, across all three Mesa libraries, library use has gone up 12 percent between July and now, compared with the same period last fiscal year.
Dobson Ranch had a 16 percent visitor increase and Red Mountain saw a 34 percent increase over last year in February, said Wolf. Numbers are down at the Main Library by 15 percent in February, compared with last year, blamed on the Sunday closure.
Cutting the Sunday hours at the Main Library drew sharp criticism from users, but Wolf said the 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. peak time on Sundays was too expensive to justify keeping it staffed the other two hours.
Ann Ewbank, former president of the Arizona Library Association, described Mesa as a "grossly underfunded" library service.
For a city with nearly 500,000 people, it has to have more branches accessible for people "to foster an intellectual environment," said former Mesa library director Vince Anderson.
Other communities, such as Chandler and Scottsdale, which are half the size of Mesa, have more branches, Anderson pointed out. He blamed a lack of property taxes and "the attitude of the electorate who couldn't care less."
In 2008, Central Connecticut State University released a study ranking "America's Most Literate Cities" for 71 cities nationwide with a 250,000+ population. Mesa ranked 61 overall, and 58 for libraries.
"I understand library budgets get cut, but Mesa is embarrassingly down at the bottom," said Anderson, director between 1980 and 1999. A Mesa library master plan had identified at least five possible locations for new branches, based on population growth. Except for an expansion of the Red Mountain branch, none took off.
"For all they do, libraries are often underappreciated," said Patsy Fimbres, secretary of the Friends of the City of Mesa Library, a volunteer group that helps with fundraising efforts. She sees it as an inexpensive way for recreation, summer reading programs, and tutoring help for students.
Gabby McQuaid, who could barely keep her pile of books upright on a recent visit, wishes the teen section had a bigger selection.
"It's given me a chance to read so many books, and opened up my imagination," said the 13-year-old.
Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh, a vocal library proponent, blames a shortage of branches in large part to a post 9/11 era, when public safety had to take greater priority, combined with a weakening economy.
Mesa residents pay $1.7 million in property tax annually to the Maricopa County library district, but don't get much value in return, said City Manager Chris Brady. There are no county libraries in the city limits.
Mesa has in the past received what is known as reciprocal dollars from the county for issuing more library cards to non-Mesa residents.
But ever since two years ago, more Mesa residents started using libraries outside the city, versus the other way around. As a result, the county stopped reimbursing the city.
Between July and December 2008, Mesa issued 2,646 cards to non-Mesa residents. Other libraries issued 11,363 cards to Mesa residents, about 60 percent at the county's Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert.
Wolf is trying to use technology to make the best of the remaining resources. Some appreciate that.
"At least they're still around," said east Mesa resident Pat Thompson, 61.
Proponents say libraries act as a safety net for children, and add to quality of life, something even companies look for when choosing a site to locate. It's especially useful for those with fewer resources.
"Those of us fortunate can lose sight of those who aren't. They can be lost in that debate," said Ewbank.
Brady acknowledged that "compared to other cities, Mesa should have more libraries," but that at this point, "even if more people visit the library, it still doesn't generate revenue." He proposes alternatives like mobile libraries, and offering more books online.
"What choices do we have? Do we cut police officers? It's not easy," Brady said.
By the numbers
CIRCULATION
Fiscal year July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008: 2,155,035
Fiscal year to date: (Through February 2009) 1,463,457 (up 3%)
IN-HOUSE VISITS
Fiscal year 2007-08: 1,165,451
Fiscal year to date: (Through February 2009) 863,946 (up 12%)
--Mesa's library budget for the 2008-09 budget is $8.7 million. It cut $1.6 million off its original $10.3 million budget for 2008-09. Another $3.3 million cuts are planned for FY 2009-10.
--The books budget has been slashed 50 percent down to $750,000 from $1.5 million in 2007-08.
--In fiscal year 2007-08, Mesa had 50 librarians, compared with 29 now.
Source: Mesa
To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.eastvalleytribune.com.
Copyright (c) 2009, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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