| Abstrakt: |
The public library is experiencing a financial crisis due to the limitedness of and inflation's corrosive effects on the sources of income of its controlling body, the local authority. This article sketches the mission of local authority as third-level government and administration. An explanation is given of the nature and origin of the finances needed in order to render the multiple 'life-sustaining' and 'desirable' services which it should offer in fulfilment of residents' needs. Due to shrinking budgets, rising costs and amended priorities, the public library as rates-supported, free service has in the past few years become less and less able to afford relying on the sustained financial goodwill of local authorities. The financial position of the City of Roodepoort is quoted as example throughout and the reasons why this local government took the controversial step of generating additional income for its public library by way of a users' levy, are summarized. Although reasonable users' levies form a relatively small source of income compared to the total income of a local authority, it can nevertheless take much of the financial pressure off public libraries, if collected cost-effectively and appropriated correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
