Library System Working to Increase Non-Tax Revenue

Gwinnett County Public Library Chairman Phillip Saxton admits times are tough financially for the county’s library system.

“We believe we are going to be in these tough economic times through the year 2015,” Saxton said. “We have four more years of struggle.”

Though Saxton hopes GCPL’s financial situation will improve when the economy rebounds, library officials are taking steps to preserve services for Gwinnett citizens.

Saxton spoke at the as part of a countywide tour to update city leaders regarding library services.

“We’re very proud of the ,” Saxton said. “One of my goals has always been to make sure that we keep that library open for the citizens of Dacula.”

Keeping the Dacula Library open, as well as maintaining operations at the other GCPL branches, became more challenging after the . As a result of the nearly 15 percent budget reduction, GCPL is reducing operating hours at all 15 of its branches to 44 hours each week effective Oct. 23. On the positive side, library officials were able to develop an operational plan that allows the branches to remain open seven days a week.

Saxton said GCPL has a two-fold strategy for dealing with its reduced budget: develop a plan to function using the allocated taxpayer dollars and create ways to increase non-tax revenue.

To that end, library officials are implementing six different strategies to increase non-tax revenue:

1. Affiliate strategy – As part of its partnership with Better World Books, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, GCPL will receive a portion of the proceeds from each sale that is initiated through the GCPL website. Saxton encourages county residents that make purchases from these sites to go to the GCPL website first and then click the “Shop Here” link.
2. Advertising – The library system is working with local businesses to provide low cost advertising within the system’s 15 branch locations. Businesses can place coupons and other advertising materials in the libraries in exchange for a fee.
3. Donations – Residents wishing to contribute to the library’s operating fund may make direct donations. According to Saxton, a family living in a $200,000 pays approximately $47 a year in taxes for the library. Saxton describes that as a great deal and encourages citizens that utilize the library to contribute more if they can.
4. Endowments – GCPL is developing an endowment program to add to the library’s existing $250,000 endowment. The principal of the endowment must remain untouched leaving only the interest as usable funding. Saxton said the library system’s goal is to increase the endowment to $25 million in order to provide enough interest income to significantly contribute to GCPL’s operating expenses.
5. Fundraising – GCPL plans to create more partnerships with businesses and non-profit organizations. The system intends to allow non-profits to hold fundraisers inside library branches in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.
6. Material sponsorship plan – This plan allows citizens and businesses to buy books in return for recognition. Individuals may sponsor a book for $25, a shelf for $500 or a whole section for $2,500. The plan also includes a way for businesses to provide in-library programs in exchange for purchasing related materials for the library.

Saxton hopes these measures will help the library become more self-sufficient.

According to Saxton, GCPL serves 400,000 users, has 325,000 cardholders and checks out 7.4 million items every year -- more than twice that of Cobb County, the next largest Georgia library system.

The system also welcomes 3.4 million visitors each year.

“On an average, we have 900 visitors to our library every day,” Saxton said.

These visitors utilize a wide range of services offered by the library including research, job-hunting assistance and more.

“Of the 900 and some odd people that are coming into our libraries every day, they come in for 900 and some odd different reasons,” Saxton said.

This demand makes local libraries a “viable part” of the community, Saxton explained.

“They are a place for people to go,” Saxton said. “They are a wholesome place. They are a safe place for our children, for our senior citizens, to come in, just relax and have a good time.”