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3 <br />7. Is there a future opportunity to unite library services in Orange County via either a <br />full fledged merger or operational functionality so users of library services will <br />benefit from the attributes of all facilities and services county-wide? <br />8. Does charging non-town residents for library services offer a feasible alternative <br />to a County subsidy as a financial model for the project? <br />It is not my intent to offer arguments on either side of factors listed. On either side of the <br />discussion reasonable stances are possible. Getting to the point of the request formulated <br />by the Town with regards to the project specific issues do follow. <br />The County (to my knowledge) has not been involved in the decision process related to <br />the current Chapel Hill project. <br />The two library systems (for the most part) operate independently of each other and do <br />not facilitate easy access between the systems for library patrons. This issue has been <br />explored and both librarians are working to break down some existing barriers. <br />The Chapel Hill library as a single facility operating at a level both in service and <br />financial support far higher than that currently provided by the County. Efforts by the <br />County to expand and improve library services have received recent commitments to both <br />facilities and operations, but lag significantly. <br />Non-residents of Chapel Hill do use the Town's library. The Town does have options it <br />can pursue to address that factor. Those options will impact the level ofnon-resident use <br />and depending upon approach could be counter productive to the intended purpose. No <br />one can determine for sure at what level library service charges to non-residents will <br />deter participation. Chapel Hill indicates 40% of total library use is by non-residents. If <br />so, a decline in non-resident usage responding to some type of fee system would impact <br />service demand by non-residents and not produce anticipated revenues. <br />If the Town chose to impose a discretionary fee on non-residents, does the County have <br />any obligation to financially support the Town's library services at any level? <br />Each of these considerations and factors outlined earlier are the basis of <br />recommendations offered. Experience elsewhere, (both as a county and city manager) <br />provide a basic understanding that these issues are not simplistic. Pride in past <br />accomplishments and historic relationships often pose a barrier to reaching consensus <br />among vested interests. Consensus positions that focus on improved library access; <br />enhanced library services; and, effective allocation of limited local resources are <br />achievable objectives if everyone remains focused on those being served. <br />Summary of Recommendations: <br />A. When the County began providing financial assistance to the Chapel Hill library <br />several years ago, the amount of that contribution equated to roughly 48% of the level the <br />County funded its main branch located at that time in the Whiffed Building in <br />2 <br />