From the Ipswich Tribune Sept. 11, 1930 edition
ANALYZE BUDGET OF NEW LIBRARY
Detailed Report on Budget Expense for New Library — Asset to City of Ipswich
On account of a number of inquiries received as to the prospective cost to taxpayers of Ipswich for the new library the following information has been compiled from the records of the librarian.
The largest item of expense is the librarian’s salary which during the past two years has been $80.00 per month. It is proposed to increase this $5.00 a month making the salary $1020.00 for the year 1931. The librarian takes care of the library room, which accounts for the low janitor cost which will be taken up later. The Ipswich library has the largest circulation per capita of any library in the state and is exceeded in Minnesota only by a library in the Iron Range whose large circulation is accounted for by the fact that they have practically unlimited funds for the purchase of new books. Books are circulated by the Ipswich library at a lower cost per book than any of the city libraries. Last year 17,486 books were taken out and in consideration of the increased work occasioned by the larger room and also the increase in number of books circulated during the past year, it is considered only right that the salary be increased as value has been and is being received.
Last year the expense of electric light was $21.53. The proposed budget allows $50.00 on account of a larger room being used and especially on account of the electric fan which is in the furnace allowing quick heating of the building with a corresponding saving in coal. The lights are all controlled from a panel near the librarian’s desk and the ceiling lights are on different switches so that all the lights will not have to be on at one time and it will be easy to keep these under control.
The telephone bill last year was $33 and will be the same in the new location. For new books last year $253.03 was expended. The budget for 1931 allows $250.00 for new books. There will be an unusually large amount of reading done this winter on account of the low values of farm products and the general capacity of money. The library is a source of useful entertainment, and the habit of spending spare time reading should be cultivated. The Ipswich library with nearly 5000 volumes is well equipped to take care of a large number of patrons and the new system of buying reprints has given a much larger variety of new books at a lower expense.
The rental of the library building has been free for the past ten years and it will of course be free in the new location which belongs to the city subject to its being converted into a county library if possible. The installation of a county library would be most desirable as it would not only give the county the benefit of the 5000 books which the city of Ipswich has accumulated and which would probably cost better than $10,000 to duplicate, but it would also give the citizens of Ipswich the benefit of larger number of new books. The matter of a county library is of course for the decision of the voters of the entire county.
The expense for heating for the past year was $86.55. This has been increased in the new budget to $225.00. On account of the construction of the building, stone walls with dead air space between and the plaster and the Celotex insulation on the ceiling it is thought there will be no difficulty in getting by on this amount.
Last year $24.36 was spent for repairs and improvements. Nothing is allowed for this in the new budget and it will probably be several years before any repairs of any kind will be needed.
Forty dollars was spent for stationery and supplies and exactly the same amount was allowed during the coming year. Miscellaneous expense which covers drayage, postage, express and freight amounted to $62.50 last year. $65.00 is allowed for the coming year.
The janitor service during the past year cost $51.00. In the new building $100.00 is allowed. This is believed to be sufficient as the furnace can be controlled by the librarian from the first floor as regards both the drafts and forced system of heating. There has been some question as to installing as oil burner and suggestions in regard to this will be appreciated.
The new building will have a restroom in the basement, accessible from the front door without going through the library.
The total expense for the library in the past year was $1644.07 and for the rest room $300.00 making a total paid out by the city taxpayers of $1944.07. The proposed budget for this coming year is a total of $1,922.00 making a saving of about $22.00. There is a large room in the basement which can be used subject to the control of the Library Board by any of the clubs or any other organization. It is not furnished in any way and its use is therefore open to any organization for the good of the citizens of Ipswich and vicinity in any manner.
The fireplace and chimney will be erected this week and any specimens will be gladly received by Mr. Lunbom at the building.
J.D. Williams has full charge of the erection of the building. Walter Morris is putting in the electrical work and L. S. Smith the plumbing. A. M. Tessier of Aberdeen Sheet and Metal works will be putting the roof on with his corps of workmen this week and is leaving his contract on the Union building at the State University for this purpose.
The readers of the Tribune may be interested in knowing that a letter was received from Mrs. Erickson stating that the architect for this library, Allen E. Erickson of Chicago died on the 19th of last month. No particulars have been received. This building will stand as a monument to his ability
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