Toledo-Lucas County Public Library places 2-mill replacement levy

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Board of Trustees will ask voters to approve a 5-year, 2-mill replacement levy on November 6, 2007.  The levy will help the library better cope with its current financial situation.  Library finances have been impacted substantially by a state funding freeze at 2002 levels and steadily increasing costs.

The Board of Trustees approved this action at its special meeting on July 6, 2007.

The Library’s two existing 1-mill property tax levies (one from 1997 and the other from 2003) expire at the end of 2007.  The Library will combine the two existing levies into a 2-mill replacement levy.

“State funding has been frozen for our public library, so without the additional funds generated by this levy, our system will be dismantled,” said Clyde Scoles, Library Director. 

“Our public library is a true community resource, and the proposed replacement levy will fund existing services at a more realistic level.  The reality is certain.  For our system to continue as the community’s gift to itself, we must compensate for the losses of the past six years, while maintaining growth today and support for the future. Unfortunately, the alternative to the levy will be drastic cuts from which we may never recover,” said Mr. Scoles.

This replacement levy will provide $18.3 million annually, costing the owner of a $100,000 home a total of $61.25 a year. 

The levy will take effect in January 2008 and expire in December 2012.

With passage of the levy, the library plans to:

• Increase the book budget

• Continue staffing levels

·         Maintain upkeep of facilities and buildings (i.e. carpet, paint, utilities)

·         Replace and increase computer technology

·         Maintain Sunday hours at five locations (Main Library, Sanger, Heatherdowns, Sylvania and Oregon).

 “We would not come to our loyal patrons for assistance in passing this 2-mill replacement levy, unless it was absolutely necessary to continue the library service the residents of Lucas County have long enjoyed,” said Mr. Scoles.

For more details, please call 419.259.5267 or 419.259.5381.