Library Levies
Taxpayer support has been a crucial part of the library’s funding from the beginning in 1873. The first levy to go on the ballot, however, was not until 1976. Voters approved a 0.6 mill, 5-year levy by a margin of 63% to 36%. The levy was renewed in 1981 with approval of nearly three-quarters of voters. At the time, it was the largest margin of victory for any county-wide library levy issue in Ohio’s history.
By 1986, it was clear that a new levy was needed. The Board of Trustees asked voters to approve a 2.2 mill, 15-year levy to allow for long-term planning. It would allow the library to increase staff by 44%, add evening and Sunday hours at certain locations, increase the book budget, renovate Main Library, expand and create new buildings for other branches, and, most importantly, improve service to all of our customers. It passed by a margin of 54% to 47% and was renewed in 2000 with 67% approval.
The 2000 levy was a 10-year renewal of the 1986 appropriation, which meant that a new ballot initiative was necessary in 2010. Recent cuts in the state budget meant that salaries had been cut by 5%, staff hours were reduced by 10%, hours of operation were cut by 18%, and the acquisition budget was cut by 40%. The proposed 2.8 mill permanent levy would restore all services. It passed overwhelmingly with 66% of the vote.
The passage of the levy was a testament to the value the library brings to the community, and to the dedicated staff who work every day to enrich the lives of the customers they serve.
