LIBRARY NETWORK TRUSTEES: Out of touch

“I don’t know really know what the current role of a library is” — Trustee Hanley

The Community Library Network “empowers discovery” which includes empowering discovery for our neighbors in poverty or on the brink, known as ALICE: asset limited, income constrained, employed.

41% of Kootenai County households live in poverty or ALICE and can’t afford the household essentials (housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, basic smartphone plan).

Reducing funds to services that “empower discovery” impacts those who have the least the most.

Now back to the current role of a library. For the households mentioned above, the role of a library includes: social service/job opportunities, free internet and computer access, free programming, community meetings, and social opportunities. Lower-income households (earning less than $40,000 per year) visit the library more frequently.

Recognizing privilege is crucial. I have privilege to buy books, own a computer with internet and a printer at home and can afford “stuff.” Forty-one percent of our neighbor households don’t hold that same financial privilege.

“If library employees want to make more, they can work in Washington” (paraphrase) — Trustee Plass

Survival budget for Kootenai County is:

• Two adults, two kids in care — $33.69/hour

• One adult — $12.94/hour

Survival budget for Spokane County is:

• Two adults, two kinds — $36.73/hour

• One adult — $12.71/hour

The poverty rate plus ALICE is 36% in Spokane County (to our 41%). Thus, “working in Washington” is not a realistic solution.

Classist comments will only “disempower discovery.”

MEGAN DARDIS-KUNZ

Clinical Asst. Professor, Boise State University

Coeur d’Alene