EG voters made library call 30 years ago

In the 1980s the voters on the west side of Elk Grove supported a decision to join Schaumburg library district. The Elk Grove and Schaumburg libraries worked out an agreement where patrons could use both libraries and the tax revenue from the area would be shared. The Schaumburg library has decided not to continue this agreement, leaving patrons on the west side of Elk Grove feeling slighted.

The libraries are taxpayer supported institutions, and just as those on the west side of Elk Grove wouldn’t be able to send their children to District 214 schools because they don’t pay taxes to 214, they are not eligible for resident library privileges because they don’t pay taxes to the library.

The decision to exit the Elk Grove library district was one that was made by the voters on the west side of the village. Patrons who find this decision unfair should contact the Schaumburg library to persuade them to honor the 20-plus-year agreement they had with the Elk Grove library.

If people on the west side feel strongly that they wish to rejoin the Elk Grove library district, a resident should consider pursuing that option and filing the necessary paperwork.

Susan Baker

Elk Grove Village