1. Public library development in Wisconsin was based on the New England model of independent municipal public libraries. Public library service in most southern and western states was developed around a consolidated county model. Although authorized by statute, only a handful of county libraries have been established in Wisconsin. This can largely be attributed to the strong local control ethic in Wisconsin.
2. The statutory requirements for establishment and operation of a consolidated county library, a county library service, or a joint city-county library are minimal and, in many respects, do not provide for useful distinctions between those types of libraries.
3. The use of the terminology “consolidated county library” in Wisconsin statutes is misleading. On the face of it, this terminology implies that all public library services and facilities within a single county are consolidated under one governing body. This is not the case in Wisconsin. Cities and villages within a county with a consolidated county library can still establish and operate an independent municipal library and exempt themselves from the county library levy if they tax themselves for library service at a rate higher than the county library levy, as provided under Section 43.64(2). Consolidated county libraries typically operate a number of branches to serve all residents of the county. Most consolidated county libraries own and maintain each branch facility, but in some counties with consolidated county libraries each municipality with a branch library owns and is responsible for maintenance and repair of the library building.
4. Consolidated county libraries benefit from economies of scale and avoid duplicating administrative and support functions. This enables them to provide library service somewhat more efficiently than a number of independent municipal libraries serving the same county. A consolidated county library is funded by a uniform county library levy (although, as noted above, a municipality in the county can govern and operate an independent municipal library and exempt themselves from the county library levy if they qualify for exemption). A uniform county library levy may be viewed as being more equitable. Consolidated county libraries (unless an independent public library exists within the county) do not experience crossover borrowing within the county.
5. Statewide statistics from 2000 show that compared to other types of libraries county libraries, on average, have lower per capita funding levels, lower levels of use from "home" residents, experience much lower levels of nonresident use, and are less likely to meet the state standard for material spending per capita. The attached chart shows comparison statistics. One challenge of a consolidated county library is to provide what is perceived to be an equal level of library service to all parts of the county.
6. Consolidated county libraries experience some the problems associated with nonresident use. Residents of counties with consolidated county libraries can use independent libraries outside the county if these libraries are located in the same public library system. There are also at least three independent libraries that operate within a county library. Independent libraries within a consolidated county library do not qualify for the 70% cost reimbursement from the county required of most counties by Section 43.12. This is a cause for dissatisfaction by these libraries. This issue will be further addressed in the crossover usage issue paper.
7. A county library service may operate one or more fixed library facilities (as does the La Crosse County Library), but is more likely to operate a bookmobile or books-by-mail service that supplements the service provided by independent municipal and/or joint libraries within the county. Other county library services provide no direct library service to the public, but may provide support services to the libraries in the county, such as a centralized processing service, shared computer system or interlibrary loan clearinghouse.
1. Replace the terminology “consolidated county library” with the terminology “county library”. Define “county library” as an entity that is operated by the county, maintains a collection of materials, is open to the public, has a paid staff, operates one or more facilities, and receives support from county funds.
2. Define a “county library service” as an entity that provides library and library support services using paid regular employees but does not operate a library facility open to the public.
3. Establish an entity called a "county library council". Define “county library council” as a council that provides library support services without employing paid regular employees. Existing county library boards that meet this definition would thereafter be legally termed a county library council. Provide that a county library council has exclusive control of all funds provided by, or to, the county for library purposes. (Under current statutes, a county library board has this legal authority which would be retained by a "county library council" under this alternative.)
4. Require that a city or village in a county with a county library must first obtain county board and county library board approval before establishment of a library if the municipality lies wholly within the county.
5. Require that any city or village must first obtain county board approval before establishment of a library within the county. Also require the library system to prepare an impact statement.
6. Allow a county library to convert to the district library form of governance with the passage of a referendum by the voters within the service area of the county library (see also Issue Paper # 9).
1. Replace the terminology “consolidated county library” with the terminology “county library”. Define “county library” as an entity that is operated by the county, maintains a collection of materials, is open to the public, has a paid staff, operates one or more facilities, and receives support from county funds.
2. Define a “county library service” as an entity that provides library and library support services using paid regular employees but does not operate a library facility open to the public.
3. Establish an entity called a "county library council". Define “county library council” as a council that provides library support services without employing paid regular employees. Existing county library boards that meet this definition would thereafter be legally termed a county library council. Provide that a county library council has exclusive control of all funds provided by, or to, the county for library purposes. (Under current statutes, a county library board has this legal authority which would be retained by a "county library council" under this alternative.)
4. Require that a city or village in a county with a county library must first obtain county board and county library board approval before establishment of a library if the municipality lies wholly within the county.
5. Require that any city or village must first obtain county board approval before establishment of a library within the county. Also require the library system to prepare an impact statement.
| Type of Library | Average Home Community Circulation Per Cap. | Tax Base Per Cap. | |||||||||
| Municipal1 | 340 | 9,014 | 116,901 | 8.2 | 37% | $33.27 | $0.78 | $42,577 | 27% | $6.29 | $5.67 |
| Joint1 | 25 | 11,012 | 115,477 | 8.1 | 23% | $24.84 | $0.39 | $63,977 | 19% | $4.43 | $5.31 |
| County1 | 8 | 72,893 | 522,288 | 6.7 | 6% | $22.38 | $0.44 | $50,714 | 11% | $3.33 | $4.61 |