Beginning a year ago, the trustees of the Valley of the Tetons Library conducted a survey of the citizens of the Teton Valley to learn what the patrons of the library thought of placing a branch library in Driggs. The response was largely positive and thought to be long overdue. Ideas were discussed at future meetings, which included looking into a book-mobile to service the community from the northern area of Felt, Tetonia, and Driggs. After searching out possibilities in that direction, the trustees decided that we should seek a more permanent solution.
Thus, on May 20, you, the community, will have your say on whether or not you truly want to have a branch library in Driggs. The opportunity will be by voting “In Favor” of a two-year levy on the May 20 ballot. This will increase the taxes by $16.00 per $100,000 (minus your home exemption) of assessed value on your property taxes, which is what you are paying for the county library in Victor. Here is a quick cost/benefit analysis: How much is the tax levy ($16/$100K home value) relative to a round trip from Driggs or Tetonia to the Victor library. For comparison, if your car gets 25 mpg and you drive from Driggs to Victor four times a year, you have just spent the money that would be levied.
Let us, the trustees, present you with the benefits of having a branch library in Driggs. The main library in Victor, which has served our valley community well and has been well-managed, cannot expand farther on the property where it rests. Our library has served our community by having reading programs, hosting authors, providing computer access to patrons, as well as the variety of media sources and books. It is open for the public a set amount of hours from 10 a.m-6 p.m. during the week and four hours on Saturday. By having a branch library in Driggs with different hours, for example, with hours from noon to 8 p.m., the access to the library for senior citizens and middle and high school students will increase. Access to a library with computers and a place to study, closer to those who need it, will be advantageous. Our library has put on wonderful programs for young readers, like the “Pinkalicious” and the LEGO programs in the past several months, but the space in the basement of the Victor library is cramped and limited, and there are times when that in itself is overwhelming. Having a branch library in Driggs would allow the staff to divide the young reading groups into smaller sections, which allows greater flexibility and space.
Many people do not use the main library because they work during the day. Having a library that is open later in the evenings would allow them to check out library sources or use the computers. Because of the expense of the computers, the library trustees and staff, with the help from Shannon Garcia, have applied for numerous grants to help with the start up costs for an additional library.
Here are some of the projected plans we, the trustees, have discussed for patrons of the library:
Mentor Reading Programs, Lego/Robotics, Chess Clubs, Cribbage Clubs, Adult and Teen Book Clubs, Lap Sit, Story Time, Author Presentations, Educational Lectures and Teen Crafts.
We have discussed other advantages for having a branch library in Driggs. For example, we would have two places for story hour—one in Victor and one in Driggs. A branch library would be close when you are running errands or going to the grocery store in Driggs. A branch library would give additional resources for the public and private schools in the area; it would give available hours after the school day for students to study, research or checkout books; and it would give tutoring space closer to the schools. Computer classes can be offered to senior citizens and the community.
We hope that you will get out and vote. Vote “In Favor” for the branch library. This is your opportunity to be heard.
This article appeared in the Teton Valley News on May 15, 2014.