October 20, 2005

By Diane Chiddister

On Nov. 8 voters will be asked to support the Greene County Library system by approving Issue 6, a property tax levy.

The 1-mill, five-year levy would generate $2.9 million a year for the library system, which includes branches in Yellow Springs, Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Cedarville, Fairborn, Jamestown and Xenia.

The funds would enable the libraries to restore hours that were cut in 2003 after state funding was reduced, according to information provided by the Greene County Public Library Foundation Education Fund.

The restoration of hours will not only provide greater access for the public, but will help the libraries better serve people, according to Connie Collett, the head librarian at the Yellow Springs Library.

“Our business has not decreased” since the cut in hours, she said. “We have fewer staff but the same amount of work. It has been difficult.”

The levy would also allow the library system to purchase new books, videos, books on tape, magazines and newspapers; increase programs for children, teens and adults; provide services for the disabled and elderly; and update computer use.

The 1-mill levy would provide more local funding than does the library system’s current 0.35-mill levy, which expires this year. The levy would increase local funding for the libraries from 12.9 percent to 37 percent.

The levy increase was necessary because state funding for libraries has decreased about $500,000 per year since 2001, according to the county library foundation, and the decline in funding is expected to continue.

A library levy has been continually passed in Greene County since it was first introduced in 1946.

According to the material from the county library foundation, the levy would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $30 a year.

About 60 percent of the library system’s budget goes to pay employees, 20 percent covers materials and the remaining 20 percent pays for everything else, including utilities.

The library system is the most widely used free attraction in the county, according to the library foundation materials. It saves a family of four about $2,350 per year, which would be the cost of borrowed items if purchased. About two million items are checked out each year from the county libraries.

Contact: dchiddister@ysnews.com