1. The people of Winnebago County should have convenient access to all library services being provided by all county municipal libraries within Winnebago County on the same terms as local municipal residents supporting such libraries. The people should be free to use any or all libraries at their discretion.

2. It is the responsibility [Wisconsin Statutes 43.15(4)(b)] of Winnebago County to compensate the municipal libraries in an adequate manner for the use made of them by county residents who have no local public library services.

3. At present, the fairest way to share the costs of library service with Winnebago County is based on usage. a. It is also recognized that a usage-based cost sharing formula conflicts in a very significant way with a more important goal of library service provision - the encouragement of use of library service. We therefore intend to explore more equitable means of cost sharing.

4. The authority of Winnebago County relative to library services is defined by statute and accomplished through adoption of a county plan of service, contract negotiations, and appointments to local library boards and the Winnefox Library System Board [43.15(4)(b), 43.19, 43.60(3), Wisconsin Statutes]. The authority for determination of local library service program rests with each public library board of trustees as provided by statute [43.58-43.60, Wisconsin Statutes]. That local autonomy is not sacrificed to either the Winnefox Library System or Winnebago County [43.19(2)(b). Wisconsin Statutes].

5. The participating libraries recognize a responsibility to provide library services in the most cost effective manner. Each library will initiate planning processes that result in the provision of the most needed services in the most cost-effective way. These processes will provide for appropriate involvement of all interested parties.

6. Residents of those municipalities with libraries should be assured of access to the other libraries in Winnebago County. No compensation will be necessary when respective use is determined to be reciprocal. The methodology for determining non-reciprocal compensation shall be as follows:

a. Each library shall determine the percentage of actual circulation attributable to the other library's residents.

b. The above percentage will be multiplied by the net operational budget (as determined for 11a.);

c. The lower of the two dollar figures will be subtracted from the other for a net non-reciprocal transaction cost;

d. The funding sources for the net non-reciprocal transaction shall be the library's county reimbursement and/or local library budget funds. If these should prove insufficient, the System may be expected to make up the difference by utilizing the owing library's System Enrichment Grant or other System funds.

e. The amount of net non-reciprocal transaction cost shall be prorated to the percentage of County funding provided under terms of this Agreement.

7. Residents of Winnebago County living outside of municipalities with libraries should have access to the resources of other libraries within the Winnefox Library System. It is the responsibility of the County to reimburse libraries for that service (Wis. Stat. 43.11 (3) (c)), should it become necessary, in accordance with the Plan.

8. Residents of the Winnefox Library System should have access to the resources of other libraries outside of the Winnefox Library System. No compensation will be necessary when respective use between Systems is determined to be reciprocal unless a portion of a city legally exists within Winnebago County (Wis. Stat. 43.12). Then at least 70% of the cost to serve residents who are not residents of a municipality with a public library must be provided beginning in 2001 unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement and Plan.

9. To the extent possible, the development of library services in Winnebago County should occur in a way that does not seriously undermine local library service development or the present quality of library services.

10. It is imperative to establish agreements which preserve the stability of the Winnefox Library System and which maintain access to library and System services for all county residents.

11. All of the public libraries in Winnebago County should be adequately compensated for nonresident use based upon the above principles. They should be compensated in the same manner.

a. The methodology for determining the County's share of library service costs and library allocations shall be as follows:

(1) As of each December 31, the Appleton, Menasha, Neenah, Omro, Oshkosh, and Winneconne public libraries shall determine what proportion of their total circulation is (to) residents of Winnebago County residing outside of the respective municipalities and excluding circulation (or borrowers) from other counties or library systems or paying borrowers;

(2)(a) The percentage of nonresident County circulation (or borrowers) for each library shall be multiplied by the operational budget of each library for the year prior to the service year of the Agreement provided that the library has determined to request reimbursement from the County. The operational budget will be the budget raised from city and county funds only and will not include funds generated from fines, fees, grants, donations or the like. The County will therefore not be charged a percentage of grant, fine or similar types of revenue.

(2)(b)(1) Each year, the costs of major facility improvements shall be identified separately and the County's share determined as in 11a(2)(a). Appleton Public Library shall be excluded from these provisions.

(2)(b)(2)Major facility improvements shall be defined as new buildings or major remodeling and expansion of library space. The debt retirement for these projects shall be amortized over at least 20 years, and that amount must be larger than 5% of the current library operating budget (in the year of initial billing to the County).

(2)(b)(3) These costs may include any and all expenses associated with projects, including property acquisition, financing costs, etc. but not to include costs paid with privately donated funds, federal and/or state grants.

(2) The sum of the amounts requested by the Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Omro, Oshkosh, and Winneconne libraries shall constitute the total county library appropriation requested by Winnefox from Winnebago County.

(4) No library may count borrower registrations older than 3 years. The libraries shall initiate procedures for honoring their respective library cards so that the County is not charged for duplicate borrowers.

b. The methodology for determining the allocations from Winnefox to the participating libraries shall be as follows: (1) In the event of full funding by Winnebago County, the public libraries shall receive full reimbursement for nonresident County use based on the method outlined in 11a. above. (2) In the event of partial funding, all participating libraries shall first receive their proportionate share of funds requested under 11a(2)(a). (3) When all libraries have received their full amount under 11b(2), each library requesting funds under 11a(2)(b) shall then received its proportionate share of the amount provided by the County under that section.

c. All participating libraries will agree to the same contractual service and audit provisions of the County Agreement.

12. Under the terms of this Plan and Agreement, the public libraries may provide such outreach services as they deem necessary and worthwhile. Their provision will affect the county library appropriation only insofar as they affect each library's proportion of circulation. .

13. In the event of the County failing to provide for full-funding as provided for in this Plan and Agreement, the number 1 library service priority for all of the participating libraries to maintain shall be the statutory mandated services of open access to each respective library and the honoring of valid borrower cards. Any service reductions should first be considered in non-mandated services.