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County contribution to new library a bargain

By Chronicle editorial board

City voters have approved a bond issue to raise $4 million for a new public library. The $670,000 library supporters are asking the county for should be a minimum.


 County residents are spared the taxes and fees levied on city property owners, but they benefit from many city services. There may be a few hermits out there in the hills who never come to town. But, depending on proximity, most county residents visit Bozeman from one to several times a week. Many county residents are employed in Bozeman and put as many miles on Bozeman streets as city dwellers.

And yet they don't have to pay the taxes that maintain those streets, keep police officers patrolling traffic, maintain the sewers and water lines - or build a new library.

The County Commission will consider this month library supporters' request for a $670,000 county contribution toward the construction of the new Bozeman Public Library. County residents constitute 46 percent of Bozeman Public Library cardholders. Given that level of use, the $670,000 would be a nominal contribution to $14-$15 million project.

In addition to the $4 million bond issue approved by city voters, library supporters have raised some $2 million in pledges from private sources and are hoping to find $6 million more. Another $1 million is currently in the federal highway bill before Congress.

This is an ambitious project, but a worthy one. Per capita library use is higher in Bozeman than in other Montana cities. Initial bids for the construction have come in higher than expected, and the plan has already been pared back from 56,000 to 52,000 square feet in an effort to stay within budget.

Given the rate of population growth in the area, Bozeman and Gallatin County readers can be expected make full use of the new facility in short order.

Public libraries have a long, illustrious history in our country. They are on of the most beneficial services local government provides. County commissioners have a lot on their plate in the form of an overcrowded criminal justice system. But that should not deter them from doing what's right and contributing to the effort to build a new public library that many county residence will use.

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