Nearly a decade ago Stockton-San Joaquin Library System leaders made it clear that a branch serving the community the size of Manteca should have $122,000 a year to update its book collection and other material that is accessed by the public.

Back in 2005, the library received $57,690 from various tax sources with $12,960 coming from the city. Since then Manteca has tried to augment the book collection at the Center Street branch in addition to kicking in $40,000 so the Manteca branch can have additional hours beyond what the system’s budget allows.

Due to the budget crisis the city didn’t put up any book money for the current fiscal year. Contributions by individual cities have been traditionally matched by the countywide library system operated by the City of Stockton.

Whether Stockton with its grave financial situation will be able to match future book funds aside, Councilman Steve DeBrum wants Manteca to budget $20,000 for books in the 2012-13 fiscal year starting June 30.

Instead of tapping Manteca’s distressed general fund for the money, DeBrum favors taking it from a restricted account consisting of fees specifically collected for library services that was assessed on neighborhoods at the suggestion of developers. The money can only be used for library services. Originally it was put in place with the thought that it would be used to provide matching funds to build a new city library should Manteca get approved to receive state library bond money. But after two rounds Manteca didn’t make the cut and the state bond money was depleted.

The account has been used over the years to fund consultant studies aimed at trying to secure that state bond money. Now DeBrum wants to use $20,000 of the remaining $201,380 to augment the Manteca branch library’s book collection.

Supporting the library is also high on Councilman John Harris’ list for the 2012-13 fiscal year. He believes it would be wrong to cut back on the city’s commitment for additional hours especially in a recession when people turn more and more to the library. That is why Harris made it clear in a budget workshop Monday that he wanted to see the $40,000 for additional hours continue to be part of the city’s commitment to library funding.

The city owns the building while the City of Stockton runs the operation and pays for staffing with financial contributions for that part of the equation coming from the county. Manteca pays for ongoing maintenance and utilities. It is an arrangement that is used with other branch libraries throughout San Joaquin County. The only exception is Lodi where that city owns and operates its own library.