If you have an Internet connection, I'd like you to go to the Library Use Value Calculator website at http://www.nhlibrarians.org/calculator.html. This easy-to-use tool has you input the number of times you use various library services. The results will show you how much you save when you use the Library.

If you don't have or use a computer, come see us at the Chester Public Library and we'll make the calculations together. You may also call us at 887-3404.

You may continue to read the remainder of this article after you've made your calculations. I promise that the article will be available when you get back.

Are you surprised by the results of your calculations?

You'll find that your library is a real bargain when you use the Library Use Calculator and compare those results to the amount you contribute in taxes. Currently, the Chester Public Library receives $21,732.25 each quarter of the fiscal year from the Town. This source of revenue, called the Town Appropriation, will total $86,929 by June 30, the end of the Town's fiscal year.

The town also pays for the library's health care costs of $8,871.35, bringing the total town contribution to $95,800.35. Our appropriation is 2.8 percent of the $3.4 million Town budget. If you include the additional costs of the $11 million school budget to the Town budget, which totals $14.4 million, the Library percentage equals 0.66 percent. The library receives $0.12 out of the $18.52 per $1,000 Chester property tax rate (the rate as of Oct. 29, 2009).

A Chester taxpayer owning a property assessed at $300,000 will pay $5556 in property taxes. When you multiply 300 by $0.12, you'll see that the Library receives $36 out of the $5,556 in taxes paid to the Town.

Derry and Londonderry residents will find their figures to be different.

The Chester Public Library also receives revenue from trust funds. Our trust fund revenue this fiscal year will total $14,063.72, which is a little over a half of the amount the Library received last year. We hope that Wall Street continues to rebound so that our trust fund income increases.

The revenue the Library receives is used to purchase new books, audio books, magazines, some museum passes, and videos. We also use the money to pay library employees, utilities, and building maintenance. As of Oct. 27, the Library has spent

$27,232.43.

The library is planning our budget for the next fiscal year. We'd like to have your opinion about Library services. Please feel free to share your Library Use Value Calculator results with us. Our email address is chesterpubliclibrary@gmail.com, and our phone number is 887-3403.

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Tim Sheehan is the director of the chester Public Library. He can be reached at chesterpubliclibrary@gmail.com, or by phone at 887-3403.

Upcoming Events at the Chester Library

Storytime - Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m.. See our website www.chesterlibrary.com

for a complete listing of events.