While all eyes are focused on the 2020 presidential election on voting day, don’t lose sight of what’s at stake at the local level. In particular, pay attention to Portage County District Library Issue #31, appearing on the November 3 ballot. The survival of the county’s five branch libraries — including Garrettsville Library — could be at stake.
Why is the outlook so dire? Even before the pandemic closed everything down and revenues fell even more sharply as a result, Portage County District Library (PCDL) was already the third-worst-funded library in the state of Ohio, ranking 249 out of 251.
According to Library Director Jonathan Harris, PCDL is one of the only systems in the area that relies solely on state funding. This is because, historically, a local levy to support the county’s library system has never gained enough public support to pass. Although the most recent ballot issue failed to pass five years ago, the library system is appealing once again this upcoming election so voters will approve an infusion of cash for continued operating costs.
Why not just continue with state-only funding? Harris explains that this source of funding is insufficient and unsustainable in the best of times.
Prior to the pandemic, Harris made this appeal in the library system’s strategic plan: “We may pride ourselves on running lean, by doing more with less. But anyone who has made do with less will tell you that that’s not always a reasonable expectation. A sole focus on the need to survive can make you lose sight of the things you need to thrive.”
Since the pandemic struck last spring, the state budget took an initial 10 percent hit; it has suffered even further income and sales tax revenue losses in the ensuing six months. Harris says that preliminary forecasts for 2021 indicate a $300,000 shortfall to the library system’s annual $2 million budget.
“There are simply not many places left where we can make budget cuts,” Harris says. “If the levy fails to pass this time, we will need to consider drastic cuts to services, which could include further reduced operating hours or closing a branch.”
With all of this in mind, the PCDL is seeking a 1-Mill, 10-year property tax levy to supplement its operating budget. Residents of the service district currently pay $0 in property taxes to support the public library. If Issue #31 passes, the annual property tax increase will be $35 for a home valued at $100,000. With this 10-year levy, the amount a property owner pays in year one will be the amount they will pay in year 10, as the rate will stay the same, even as property values increase.
If Issue #31 passes, Harris identifies six priorities that PCDL will implement with the new local funding:
• Restoration of hours at all branches
• Purchase of a bookmobile or similar mobile service location
• Providing weekly mobile service to each school district that does not have a branch location
• Doubling the library’s current outreach to homebound patrons and assisted living facilities
• Updating and expanding all Library Express service locations to include one in each city or township served by PCDL
• Working with local communities in identifying a location for the establishment of a new branch library
“We have committed to doing what we can to continue to provide this public service,” Harris says. “Now we need the public to show us their support so we can ensure stability in our services for the next 10 years.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Issue #31 or getting involved in the library levy campaign, log onto citizens4pdcl.nationbuilder.com.
