Any good library fields hundreds of questions a week, and it's no exception for Douglas County Libraries. This summer, the Douglas County Libraries Board of Trustees received many questions about the proposed mill levy ballot issue. They would like to clarify some misconceptions about this initiative. Get out your pencils!

The Myth: Douglas County Libraries will use the money to fund cultural centers in Lone Tree and Parker.

The Truth: The proposal does not include any money for cultural centers. The money will be used to build and operate libraries for the people of Douglas County. The land for two of the proposed library projects (Lone Tree and Parker) is next door to proposed performing arts centers, but those are separate local projects.

The Myth: Douglas County Libraries needs to tighten its belt and spend its money more wisely.

The Truth: Douglas County Libraries started cutting back long before approaching the voters. In 2003, patrons checked out 3.4 million items. By 2007, checkouts jumped to 6.4 million items. That's an 89% increase in four years. Meanwhile, the library district kept staffing virtually level by moving to automated check-in and checkout. Existing staff was retrained to provide more direct public service. These changes have saved a lot of taxpayer money, and allowed Douglas County Libraries to keep up with unprecedented growth. Douglas County Libraries paid for all new libraries outright and the library district carries no debt.

The Myth: Why can't Parker, Castle Pines, and Lone Tree pay for their own libraries?

The Truth: Douglas County Libraries provides library service to the entire county. Thanks to county-wide support, our libraries are larger and better equipped than a city alone would be able to afford. Our cooperative, county-wide library system keeps costs low while making sure you can check out millions of items from libraries around the county. Like an old-fashioned barn-raising, residents in Parker, Lone Tree, and Castle Pines helped pay for the new libraries in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Roxborough. Now patrons in Parker, Castle Pines, and Lone Tree are depending on the entire county to help them get adequately-sized libraries.

The Myth: The library shouldn't ask for money now, in a time of rising prices and talk of a recession.

The Truth: The Library Board is painfully aware that many prices are rising. So is the cost of running a library. But for less than the cost of a hardback book, our community can build three new libraries, and tens of thousands of new materials for use bythe entire county. It's been demonstrated that a strong library attracts new business development and foot traffic. What's more, library use climbs in times of economic hardship; when prices climb, so does library use. A 2007 study ( www.lrs.org/documents/roi/douglas.pdf) shows the return on investment for library support is $5.02. That is, for every dollar invested in the library, Douglas County Libraries gives back over five times that amount in value to the community.

The Myth: Nobody needs libraries now. We've got the Internet.

The Truth: Not true. In fact, technology has increased library use. The Internet is wonderful as a way to get quick facts. But the library is about far more than quick answers. It's about reading. It's about browsing the magazines. It's about programs for children, teens, and adults. It's about meeting rooms and study spaces. It's about building community. In 2007, the Douglas County Libraries checked out more children's materials (over 3.3 million items) - primarily books - than any other library in the state of Colorado. This investment in literacy is one of the key contributions of the public library.

The Myth: Douglas County Libraries should just buy and renovate the vacant King Soopers at Cottonwood.

The Fact: The building is not for sale. Even if it was, that space is far too large. Plus, the proposed Parker library is centrally-located so it can serve the greatest number of residents in eastern Douglas County.

For more information about Douglas County Libraries visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org or call 303-791-READ.