Facts about the Rockford Carnegie Library Levy
1. Why is a levy necessary?
Public libraries in Ohio once shared 2.2% of all revenue received by the state. Libraries now share only 1.97% of the revenue. We now receive 25% less than we did in 2005.
The library received these amounts each year since 2006:
2006 $192,500
2007 $192,500
2008 $189,400
2009 $152,700
2010 $140,000 (estimated)
2011 $140,000 (estimated)
This year the library is operating on the same amount of funding we received in 1994.
2. Who will vote on this levy?
All voters who live in the Parkway School District AND live in Blackcreek, Dublin, Hopewell and Liberty Townships. (Voters in Union Township and Van Wert County are under other library systems.)
3. How much will this levy cost me?
The levy is for 1 mil. Owners of a home with a fair market value of $100,000 would pay $35.00 a year in taxes to support the library.
The levy is for 5 years and will generate approximately $66,000 each year.
4. What will the money be used for?
Library Materials - In 2010 the library had only $7,000 (all from donations) to spend on books, magazines, DVDs, books-on-cd and e-books. In 2005 we had $45,000 in our budget for library materials.
Update Technology - Since most reference information is found on-line, it is very important for the library to have computers in good working order. Most of our computers were purchased in 2005.
Routine Maintenance - Money is always needed for routine maintenance.
Restore Hours - The extra money would allow us to restore the hours we had before the cutbacks.
Special Programs - The library sponsors the summer reading program, family nights and author visits.
5. What other sources of revenue does the library have?
The library depends on the state funding for approximately 97% of its revenue. The rest comes from fines, fees and donations.
6. Does the library still receive money from the Carnegies?
No. The library received money to build the original building in 1913. Mr. Carnegie only gave money to towns to build the building and expected the community to support the operation of the library.
Need more information?
Financial questions contact the fiscal officer Bob Maurer bmaurer@rcpubliclibrary.org
Other questions contact the director Rozann Maurer
rmaurer@rcpubliclibrary.org
