Library Levy Questions and Answers
.Ever since the Founding Fathers of Granville incorporated a library in their original 1804 charter, having a quality, public library has been important to the citizens of Granville. Today the Granville Public Library’s higher mission is to promote lifelong learning,education and curiosity, as a cornerstone of Granville.
Q – Who can vote on the Granville Public Library Levy?
A – Granville Exempted School District Voters will decide on the levy. Funds raised by the levy would support only the Granville Public Library. No Granville school district resident can vote for, or be taxed by, another public library system's levy.
Q. Where does the Granville Library get its funding?
A – Over 90% of the Granville Public Library funding comes from The State of Ohio Public Library Fund, with the balance coming from gifts and fines. Ohio Library funding freezes began in 2005 and since
2007 funding has been reduced by almost 20%,
with 11.5% in additional cuts expected in 2010.
As we look ahead five years, we believe the state funding cuts will be devastating to public libraries.
Q – How much is the Granville Public Library asking for and how much will it cost me?
A – The library is seeking a 5-year, 1-mil levy on May 4, 2010. It will cost approximately $2.60 in monthly taxes for each $100,000 of home value during the term of the levy.
Q – What is the state of the Granville Public Library budget?
A – With the state budget cuts, the library expenses have exceeded revenue. We have been funding this deficit from a reserve, created because of sound fiscal management over the past 20 years. Without additional funding and with expected larger deficits, we will deplete this fund and be forced to cut library services.
Q - Why is the Granville Public Library asking for a levy now?
A – The library team, comprised of staff and board members, wants to maintain library services and be in the position to address the ongoing needs of our changing community. Our state funding has always been a moving target, because it is based on tax collection, but is now more volatile than ever and we believe that additional, devastating state cuts are coming.
Q - How do my local property taxes support the Granville Public Library?
A – Currently, residents of the Granville School District are assessed 0.82 mills for the construction of the library addition. However, those funds cannot be used for day-to-day operating expenses. The 1-mill levy, if passed on May 4, will be used for day-to-day operating expenses to preserve operating hours, staffing levels, and the ability to purchase new materials.
Q -Why a five-year levy?
A – A five-year levy will allow us to monitor and access state funding levels as they change and the needs of our community as they evolve.
A – Granville Exempted School District Voters will decide on the levy. Funds raised by the levy would support only the Granville Public Library. No Granville school district resident can vote for, or be taxed by, another public library system's levy.
Q. Where does the Granville Library get its funding?
A – Over 90% of the Granville Public Library funding comes from The State of Ohio Public Library Fund, with the balance coming from gifts and fines. Ohio Library funding freezes began in 2005 and since
2007 funding has been reduced by almost 20%,
with 11.5% in additional cuts expected in 2010.
As we look ahead five years, we believe the state funding cuts will be devastating to public libraries.
Q – How much is the Granville Public Library asking for and how much will it cost me?
A – The library is seeking a 5-year, 1-mil levy on May 4, 2010. It will cost approximately $2.60 in monthly taxes for each $100,000 of home value during the term of the levy.
Q – What is the state of the Granville Public Library budget?
A – With the state budget cuts, the library expenses have exceeded revenue. We have been funding this deficit from a reserve, created because of sound fiscal management over the past 20 years. Without additional funding and with expected larger deficits, we will deplete this fund and be forced to cut library services.
Q - Why is the Granville Public Library asking for a levy now?
A – The library team, comprised of staff and board members, wants to maintain library services and be in the position to address the ongoing needs of our changing community. Our state funding has always been a moving target, because it is based on tax collection, but is now more volatile than ever and we believe that additional, devastating state cuts are coming.
Q - How do my local property taxes support the Granville Public Library?
A – Currently, residents of the Granville School District are assessed 0.82 mills for the construction of the library addition. However, those funds cannot be used for day-to-day operating expenses. The 1-mill levy, if passed on May 4, will be used for day-to-day operating expenses to preserve operating hours, staffing levels, and the ability to purchase new materials.
Q -Why a five-year levy?
A – A five-year levy will allow us to monitor and access state funding levels as they change and the needs of our community as they evolve.
Q – Who uses the Granville Public Library?
A - While state funding has been down, our library usage has been up. Our more than 11,600 cardholders checked out 243,807 items, up 7% from 2008 and since 2007 material circulation has increased 33%. Our 246 programs, increased by 76%, were attended by 5,928 people and our library cardholders were up 9% this past year. And 12,470 patrons accessed the internet at our library in 2009.
Q -How does this levy work with the other library levies I’ve heard about?
A – Several other public libraries in Licking County plan to their own levy in May. Granville is working in collaboration with our neighboring public libraries, but our levies are separate. The state has universally cut public library funding and together we believe this trend will continue and accelerate. All of the public libraries in Licking County want to be able to continue serve their communities well.
Q - What has been the focus of the Library in the past several years?
A - Since the library expansion was completed in 2008, the library team has been intentionally focused on operating an efficient facility and improving services. The library has added self check-out as well as self-service of movies and music. Volunteers have been used to augment library staff. We’ve also joined an expanded library resources network, giving users access to collections of 75 libraries around Ohio and rebuilt our collection. And we’ve had a renewed focus on our teen and children’s areas and new programming.
Q - What is the mission/purpose of the Granville Public Library?
A - Ever since the Founding Fathers of Granville incorporated a library in their original charter in 1804, having a quality, public library has been important to the citizens of Granville. Today the Granville Public Library’s higher mission is to promote lifelong learning, education and curiosity, as a cornerstone of Granville.
Q - What services are provided by the Granville Public Library?
A - The library provides spaces and services for patrons across a broad range of ages, from story time for toddlers to the Clara Sinnett White Reading Room for adults. Patrons have accessed the internet at the library for research and job searches and entertainment in the form of programs, contemporary fiction, music, books and movies. Our meeting rooms have been the venue for over 40 diverse community groups. And the library has an area, programs and even librarians dedicated to children and young adults.
Q –Where can I learn more or ask questions?
A – Questions can be emailed to
granvillelevy@roadrunner.com
Paid for by the Citizens for The Granville Public Library
Ken Richards, treasurer • 1034 W. Broadway • Granville, Ohio 43023
A - While state funding has been down, our library usage has been up. Our more than 11,600 cardholders checked out 243,807 items, up 7% from 2008 and since 2007 material circulation has increased 33%. Our 246 programs, increased by 76%, were attended by 5,928 people and our library cardholders were up 9% this past year. And 12,470 patrons accessed the internet at our library in 2009.
Q -How does this levy work with the other library levies I’ve heard about?
A – Several other public libraries in Licking County plan to their own levy in May. Granville is working in collaboration with our neighboring public libraries, but our levies are separate. The state has universally cut public library funding and together we believe this trend will continue and accelerate. All of the public libraries in Licking County want to be able to continue serve their communities well.
Q - What has been the focus of the Library in the past several years?
A - Since the library expansion was completed in 2008, the library team has been intentionally focused on operating an efficient facility and improving services. The library has added self check-out as well as self-service of movies and music. Volunteers have been used to augment library staff. We’ve also joined an expanded library resources network, giving users access to collections of 75 libraries around Ohio and rebuilt our collection. And we’ve had a renewed focus on our teen and children’s areas and new programming.
Q - What is the mission/purpose of the Granville Public Library?
A - Ever since the Founding Fathers of Granville incorporated a library in their original charter in 1804, having a quality, public library has been important to the citizens of Granville. Today the Granville Public Library’s higher mission is to promote lifelong learning, education and curiosity, as a cornerstone of Granville.
Q - What services are provided by the Granville Public Library?
A - The library provides spaces and services for patrons across a broad range of ages, from story time for toddlers to the Clara Sinnett White Reading Room for adults. Patrons have accessed the internet at the library for research and job searches and entertainment in the form of programs, contemporary fiction, music, books and movies. Our meeting rooms have been the venue for over 40 diverse community groups. And the library has an area, programs and even librarians dedicated to children and young adults.
Q –Where can I learn more or ask questions?
A – Questions can be emailed to
granvillelevy@roadrunner.com
Paid for by the Citizens for The Granville Public Library
Ken Richards, treasurer • 1034 W. Broadway • Granville, Ohio 43023
