" They say it's a tempoary tax, But it is wolf in sheeps clothing. Once this project is done there will be another and another. It will never end. They will tell us that once this project is over that the 6th cent will go away. But it won't... Just remember there elected officials. They will lie to us..... "

" Why are we even considering this? Print media is a thing of the past. In this day when you can "Google it" and area schools have plenty of "meeting rooms" that are empty most of the time, we should be finding ways to down size the library not "Super Size" it. "

" Print media is NOT a thing of the past. Publishing is still big business. Just this year, the library has already circulated over 590,000 items. In a community this size that's an average of 7 items a person.

I'm also a parent. I'm sorry, but I don't want the public at large using meeting rooms and mixing in with the students. I also want those rooms available for STUDENTS. (and I don't know what meeting rooms you are talking about, my son's school certianly doesn't have any).

I've been a reader and library user all my life. My children are and my grandchildren are. I have every reason to believe my great-great grandchildren-to-be will also be library users and readers. "

" I think the design isn't very progressive.. for that kind of money you'd think that something of a "signature" building could be built. "

" NO NEW TAXES. If we need a library that is what the current 1 PERcent tax is for. I would be glad to support the library getting the current 1 percent tax and take it away from the Cities general sluch funds that it uses to buy football teams and not what we ask for. "

" I agree with no new taxes. The County tried to force the new court house down our throats and it was rejected by the voters. Amazing enough they found the money to build it. I have serious problems with the need and the cost of this latest shrine. "

" I agree with No Cent, Why and No New Taxes. Once we get these new taxes voted in they never go away. Furthermore, isnt this new site on polluted ground? Not a place I want my family to go to. "

" NO NEW TAX, THE ONE CENT INCREASE THAT NEVER GOES AWAY. FIRST IT IS ONLY FOR ONE OR TWO YEARS. WE NOW HAVE 5 CENTS TRYING FOR 6 CENTS THEN 7 THEN 8. WHAT IS THE CITY GOING TO DO WITH THE EXISTING LIBRARY. LET IS SET EMPTY. TAX DOLLARS AT WORK "

" 50 million? For a state of the art, large-enough-for-the-community, fifty year plus facility that provides free books, entertainment and information to anyone? A BARGAIN! Using all the figures passed around, that's like $14.29 per person per year for all the above, and a community jewel to boot! Sign me up! "

" 1 percent is mostly city money. The city is not going to fund a COUNTY facility. Plus 1 cent is divided among MANY MANY agencies. "

" The Atlanta Journal Constitution doesn't think print media is dead...or libraries...

tinyurl.com/4qdzjc

Long Live Libraries!! "

" If (and only if) we need more library space a modest addition to the CURRENT location would be appropriate. (much of the circulated material are DVDs and NOT print material).

With a much larger library it will cost a LOT more just to heat/cool it----plus other increased expenses.

This should NOT even be put on the ballot!!! It will be defeated by a large margin. "

" big waste of tax dollars! we have a library now that doesnt get enough use why build a new one? "

" Those who suggest that this tax will not go away are wrong. Just as they are wrong about the fifth cent "never going away." It is THE PEOPLE OF NATRONA COUNTY who vote these taxes in. No bureaucrat or governmental official extends them. WE are the only ones who can. If you want to blame someone for these taxes being in effect and not "going away," look in the mirror first. "

" I’ve always considered myself middle class in this United States society. But lately, I find it much more difficult to make my income stretch to meet my basic needs. “I have a wonderful civic infrastructure in my community auditorium and local library, I just can’t afford the gasoline to get to them.” I honestly feel remorse at the idea of not being able to support these noble local civic projects. I will vote no for any funds toward a civic auditorium or library at this time. "

" Books get checked "OUT". Yes a new facility would be nice and possibly needed, but this is overkill. Few people go to the library and read there when they can just check something out and read it in their own space. All we need in a library is books and shelves.

Another thing. When was the last time you ever saw a tax come off after a project was completed and paid off. The tax isn't going to go away if it's passed. "

" I can remember taking the kids to the library for school and there was a big sign on the door closed due to lack of funds. The library we have now has empty space we need more books , but we will have this shoved down our throats like the court house and then the visitors center wants to keep up with the jone's and they want a new building. It seems like the city council are like little kids we have money in our pocket let spend,spend, spend. What are we going to do with empty buildings and the added cost that goes along with large buildings??? With the rising cost of gas and food who can afford another tax? "

" Here we go again...yet another project to try to convince us to tax ourselves more than we already are. One of the few things we have going for us in Wyoming is our low tax rates, yet every election someone is trying to get us to vote for yet another cent of sales tax. This is how the 5th cent started...a temporary tax for one good cause, then it turned into the on-going optional one cent to buy new trucks for government workers to dink around in all day. I want to build a new house...will everyone pitch in an extra penny of sales tax for me? No...I will have to fit it into my budget or raise additional funds on my own; the library, the courthouse, the hospital, and everyone else needs to figure out how to do the same. There are hundreds of great causes out there, but if we vote in an extra cent of sales tax for each, we will have a five hundred percent sales tax that none of us will be able to afford. We already pay sales tax, property tax, income tax, and fees for every little thing associated with the government in any way...hunting & fishing licenses, vehicle registrations, fees to renew our license, camping permits, fees to get into public parks, forests, recreation areas, and the list goes on and on and on. I think I spend about half of my income or better paying something for the government. I will ABSOLUTELY NOT VOTE TO RAISE ANY KIND OF TAXES FOR ANY REASON! I cannot afford to pay more to support government programs; especially for something as old fashioned as a library. I can't remember the last time I or anyone that I know went to the library; I have more information available to me right now sitting in front of my computer than I could find in the library without having to burn off eight bucks worth of overpriced gasoline and polluting the air to get there to torture myself with the 19th century system that is available at the library. I say keep the existing library or tear it down and put in an internet cafe instead; we don't need it. "

" Okay, everybody here who has actually BEEN to the library in the past 5 years, raise your hand.........that's what I thought -- only two posters have actually used the library in the past 5 years, 3 including me. If you don't go to the library, then your comments are at best uninformed and at worst irrelevant. Go to the library and see for yourself all the amazing things happening there! And to all of those "Googlers" out there, yes, Google.com is a fantastic search engine, I use it every day, but how can you be sure the information you find is correct and/or from a valid source? And don't just say "I know a valid source when I see one" because it's not that simple. I would like for a Googler to respond to my post with an actual recipe for determining validity of sources found on the Internet.
The resources the library provides to the community to search for information, like online databases, indices, and books, are certified as reliable because they have already been vetted for you by highly skilled and trained Librarians. Guess who Google.com employs to help them design and fine tune their search products? Yep, a few dozen Librarians. Why? Because Librarians are experts concerning the storage and retrieval of information. Another good reason to fully fund libraries: literacy rates. With programs like Summer Reading and story hours, the library contributes very significantly in increasing the literacy rates of the community, which in turn affects long term and future statistics concerning things like high school drop out rates, unemployment figures, and welfare rolls.
A good strong public library is a crucial part of any healthy democratic society. Benjamin Franklin thought so too, which is why he founded the first public library in the United States in 1731 in Philadelphia. Simply put, there is no better bargain for our tax dollars than the public library. To quote the late Malcolm Forbes, founder of Forbes Magazine, "The richest person in the world - in fact all the riches in the world - couldn't provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library." "

" Hold it. There's a little bit of illogical thinking here. Those who say the library isn't being used enough may have missed the part about how the library doesn't have enough room or facilities for the people who use it NOW. That seems to indicate that plenty of people use it, and use it often. If there's not enough room for the people who use it now, and if projections indicate that use is going to increase, then we need a bigger space. It's that simple. I agree with "A Bargain's" analysis. Sign me up. "

" Perhaps the minority that support a new library would be willing to donate the funds to build it! "

" I agree, we don’t need a new public library! As a matter of fact, we don’t even need the one we have now! I wouldn’t take my toddler to one of their story times anyways, because I don’t think my little one should have to worry about books until she is in second or third grade. Besides, she’ll learn to read on her own eventually anyways. And I wouldn’t want to attend one of the library’s free computer classes either, because I’d rather not know how to use a computer and neither should anyone else. I mean, so what if businesses that need people with computer skills move out of the U.S. to Mexico or India. I say good riddance! And besides, every single person in Wyoming has a computer in their home now, don’t they? And honestly, I would much rather spend $9.00 to go see a movie at the theatre or even spend $25.00 to buy a movie on DVD rather than borrow it for free at the library. And so what if the library gives teens a place to hang out in a good and educational environment. I’d rather let teens find something else to do somewhere else after school. I mean, how much trouble can a bunch of teens with no where to go really cause? I’ve heard the library holds family board game nights, but that doesn’t sound like something interesting for my family to do. Once every couple of weeks we watch TV together and I think that’s plenty of time for us to spend with each other. I’ve seen advertisements for book discussions for adults too, but why would I want to read a book and then discuss it with a bunch of other people I’ve never met before? I really hate meeting new people anyways. As for all of the free information in the books, videos, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and other resources at the library, I’d rather not have all that stuff available to the people of Natrona County. Why should people be able to find information or learn new things for free? I prefer to keep the residents of Natrona County in the dark because everybody knows that educated people are dangerous people. And anyways, a new public library would make Casper way too attractive to potential new residents or potential new businesses, and the last thing we need is for Casper to continue to grow and prosper. So, as you see, I have no use for a new public library and neither should anyone else. "

" I want a new library. What is so wrong with investing in our childrens future? I have taken my kids (teen through toddler) there and we spend about three hours there each week. The library is small and I should have a say in how my tax dollars are spent. Its better spent on this rather than some single mom that breeds them and can't feed them. For the sake of education, please lets get a new library built. All those that say you don't want a new one because you don't use it, well consider how many streets you pay for and don't drive on? Or the rec center or the fire department or the majority of parks and schools, oh, but wait that last one was for education...kinda like the library? AND FOR No To A New Library: ARE YOU FOR REAL? I am trying to decide if that was sarcasm? How much trouble can a group of teens get into? Your child has no need for books until she's in 2nd or 3rd grade? The last thing we need is for Casper to prosper? Please tell me that was not to be taken serious... "

" My post was intended as extreme sarcasm. I hope I made my point. The truth is that fighting for public library funding is a cause I would almost be willing to die for. Our nation's public libraries are one of the strongest most enduring symbols of the freedoms and liberties our armed forces have fought and died for since 1776 when our founding fathers signed the Declaration of independence and The Constitution 11 years later. If we fail to support and protect public libraries, in Casper, Wyoming or anywhere else in our great country, then we will have failed miserably and completely as a nation. "

" Libraries lead to reading, reading leads to learning, and learning can alleviate the ignorance that leads to people opposing institutions that further the human race and teach us how to dream. "

" Let me see if I can be more clear...I am not necessarily opposed to them building a new library (even though I don't believe that it will be used enough to justify the expense), but I don't believe that adding an additional cent of sales tax is the way to fund the project. If there is really enough interest in the library to justify spending 50 million dollars on it, then the people who support it and intend to use it should go ahead and fund it. I guarantee that after we vote down the additional sales tax, they will still find a way to build it without raising sales tax; just like the hospital and the court house. Again, there are so many good causes...but I cannot afford an extra cent of sales tax for every good cause. If you want to build a new library on the contaminated ground by the old refinery property for 50 million dollars that only a small percentage of Casper citizens will use, then go ahead...just don't ask me to pay for it...NO NEW SALES TAX...I can't afford it. Our cost of living is already passing up our income as it is; we sure don't need to tax ourselves to the poor house so we can build a fancy 50 million dollar library. I must admit that an overpriced library for a small percentage of the population to enjoy would fit right in in that neighborhood though; right next to the overpriced golf course for another small percentage of the population to enjoy...like if we needed another golf course...like if we need a new library...maybe we could find something to do that could be enjoyed by the majority of the population instead of a small percentage of it. "

" It seems like those that are against a new library are ignorant of the facts. It also seems like they are a bunch of whiners that don't care one ounce for the community they live in. They seem to be all about themselves and don't give a rat's a** about anyone else.
Oh dear, increase the sales tax and I'd have to pay more for my slurpee... "

" The MOST important message here is: ***VOTE***!! Whether you want the new library or not, please exercise your right to VOTE. Don't let people with views opposite of your own make decisions for you. If you haven't voted recently, go to the County Clerk's office immediately and register to VOTE in the upcoming election.

You'll feel like you at least had a voice in the decision. In Wyoming, many times the difference between someone winning/losing or something passing/failing is only a few votes. Don't allow other people to choose for you. VOTE! "

" anon,
It seems to me that you are ignorant of the fact that our country is on the verge of a recession and that everyone is not prospering as well as you apparently are. I'm glad that you have more money than you know what to do with...some of us are not so lucky. If you want to contribute to a new library, go to the library and write them a check; I can't afford it and neither can many others that I know. My wife and I both work full time jobs in this "right to work" (for chump change) state and we barely get by as is.

I suppose you can afford an extra penny of sales tax for every good cause that comes along...good for you; maybe if you have so much extra money, you should spread some of it around to the rest of the community because many are not doing so well; the cost of living has been rising about 2 or 3 dollars for every dollar that the average income of Wyoming workers has been rising for the last decade, we are on the verge of a recession, gas is four bucks a gallon, and you think we should pay 50 million for a new library. You and the other 5% of the population that can afford it should go ahead and build it...the rest of us can't afford it.

I will be voting NO and encouraging everyone else to do the same. After we vote down the new tax, you can your friends can gather on the golf course and pass around your silver hat to collect up the money to build "your" new library. By the way, I don't drink slurpees, but I do buy household goods and necessities that are going up in price so fast that I just cannot afford to pay new taxes; I can barely afford the ones that I'm already paying.

Maybe you and your friends can give up one of your vacations to the Bahamas or something to pay for the new library that "you" seem to think is such a great idea. I'm feel sorry for you if you think that if people can't afford to pay for something it means that they don't care about anyone else; undoubtedly a spoiled little rich brat that was born with a silver spoon in your mouth. "

" I don't think those of us who are opposing this new tax are ignorant. We are just very tired of more and more taxes. We do care about our community but have seen instances of money being poorly spent. We are also tired of being told that only a tax can pay for a new facility, the new court house, and then the money being found after the tax payers turn it down. Once again we are told that a new library is needed and the only way it can be paid for is a new tax. enough is enough, no more taxes. "

" enough already: You are full of crap. Our family can barely make ends meet, just barely. Actually, we are doing without alot of things, like new eyeglasses, and other medical needs that we simply cannot afford. I have never been on a vacation to the Bahamas, I did stay with my sister once in Florida, and my brother picked up my airfare as a gift.
It's folks like you that make generalizations that are creating problems. Sounds like you could use some of the library's services yourself.
You don't want taxes, but I'm sure you use public facilities. Hypocrite.
Obviously you can afford internet. "

" The people who use the library are hardly a select few, or an elite minority. More than half of the people in Natrona County have a library card. If you don't believe me, check it out yourself.

BTW, my family struggles to make ends meet, too. That's one of the reasons why we visit the library. We can check out books instead of buying them. We can read magazines instead of subscribing. We can borrow video tapes, DVD's and CD's instead of buying or renting them. I don't have a computer, but I can use the computers and internet at the library free of charge. My kids can go to many of the children's programs instead of spending money on a movie. They loved the magician last week, and it didn't cost me a dime.

I realize that not everyone shares my opinions. Fine. That's why we have freedom of speech. That's why it's going to come before us in an election. If the people of Natrona County vote for a new library, terrific! If not, that's too bad, but it will be an example of Democracy in action.

That having been said, I don't like sales tax. I think it's the most regressive form of tax there is. It hits those with lower incomes the hardest, and that includes my family, and most of our friends. Still, though, I'm willing to pay it if it means major community improvement. And make no mistake, a library helps the entire community. "

" yes a new library; You must look at what you wrote: "I WANT a new library." Do you NEED a new library? There is of course a big difference between wants and needs you know. The government is not a parent dolling our money to meet whiney children's demands. We have greater needs right now than a new, better library and we must meet needs before we attempt to satiate wants. "

" Instead of a rec center going up on the rez lets put a new library there and see if it improves the lives and future of the tribe. And, let's let the casino pay for it all. "

" I intend to vote no on this project. Not because of the extra .01 cent on my taxes, that doesn't bother me. I just don't think we need a new library building. The old one is fine with me. "