The Patten Free Library of Bath is asking the town of Woolwich to donate over $43,000 toward the operating cost of the library for the 2008-2009 year.

However, the library leadership is unwilling to provide the selectmen with a list of cardholders from the town. In an attempt to determine how many Woolwich residents are taking advantage of the town paying for their library cards, the selectmen have held two budget workshops to discuss the request, and to look for alternatives in providing library services to residents at a lower cost.

During a budget workshop Thursday, April 3, Patten Free Librarian Ann Phillips and library trustee David Miller, cited a state law, Title 27, regarding the confidentiality of library records. However, according to the Maine Municipal Association, the law only covers the books and other materials patrons take out of the library, not their names.

The laws says, "Records maintained by any municipal library, the Maine State Library, the Law and Legislative reference Library and libraries of the University of Maine System, Maine Community College System, and the Maine Maritime Academy that contain information relating to the identify of a library patron relative to the patrons' use of books, or other material at the library are confidential. Those records may only be released with the express written permission of the patron involved or as the result of a court order."

Miller told the selectmen he would contact the library's attorney and get back to the selectmen. As of Monday the selectmen had not gotten a response.

During a telephone interview Wiscasset Librarian Pam Dunning, said the Wiscasset Library does not release the names of their patrons either.

"It is like going into a doctor's office and asking for his list of patients," Dunning said. "We feel our card holders are entitled to confidentiality."

However, Maine Library Association President Richard Poluet, of Blue Hill, said he knows of no law that prohibits a library from giving the names of their patrons to a town. However, he did say that some libraries have a policy of not releasing the names.

Dean Corner, Director of Readers and Informational Services at the Maine State Library said it is their policy not to release the names of their patrons but he did admit there is no law that prohibits the release.

"I would rather have the policy challenged, and defend releasing the names in a civil liberties court action," Corner said.

The Patten Free Library is assessing Woolwich for 1,373 cardholders. According to information given by Miller and Phillips, however, 735 Woolwich residents used their cards in 2007-2008, and 919 used their cards in 2006-2007.

Selectman Todd McPhee asked how the system is updated. He was told if someone hasn't used their card in the last year or so, they are purged from the system, until they come in again and reregister.

"Why are we still being assessed for over 1,300 cardholders?" McPhee asked. "We are being given a number from three years ago."

Phillips agreed that it is a number from three years ago, referring to the assessment being based on population of the 2000 census.

McPhee also questioned the stability of the stock market investments by the library in which the library lost $280,000 in just one quarter.

Miller defended the investment policy of the library stating overall the investments are sound.

The Patten Free Library relies on money from Arrowsic, Bath, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath, and Woolwich, with a 2008-2009 total request to these towns of nearly $272,000.

The library budget is up 7.8 percent over last year, with the Woolwich assessment up $1,265 from last year.

The Bath library charges $40 to patrons that are not from one of the previously mentioned towns, and the cost of the card is the same no matter what the age of the card holder is.

Looking for alternatives to decrease taxes, while providing a library to the residents, the selectmen said they asked the Wiscasset Library to make a presentation as to what the cost would be for Woolwich to subscribe to the Wiscasset Library.

Wiscasset Library volunteer Susan Blagden told the selectmen that currently the Wiscasset Library has 94 patrons from Woolwich who pay $30 per year from their own money to belong. Unlike the Patten Free Library, the Wiscasset Library offers family membership for the same price as an individual membership. The cost is $30 compared to $40 at the Bath library for each individual member, regardless of age.

Blagden was quick to point out to the selectmen that the Wiscasset Library is much smaller than the Bath library.

"However, we would welcome the town of Woolwich as a subscriber member of our library community," Blagden said.

"We have 94 patrons already registered, and of course if you join as a town, we would refund their dues on a pro-rated basis," she said.

The Wiscasset Library, using 2,953 as the base population for Woolwich, would charge the town of Woolwich just over $22,000.

The selectmen said they will need more information from the Bath library before making a decision as to what will be put before the voters at the annual town meeting.