Voters will decide 3 library levy renewals

Voters who live in certain areas of Hancock County will be asked to help decide the fate of three tax levy renewals for area libraries. Both the McComb and Ada public libraries are seeking the approval of 1-mill levy renewals, while the Hardin Northern Public Library hopes to have a 0.5-mill tax levy renewed. School districts in each of the areas are the taxing authority for the libraries. The service area for the McComb Public Library follows the McComb School District — excluding Wood County, which is served by the Wood County Library — and Hoytville, according to library director Jane Schaffner. She said there are two households in Putnam County who also live in the school district and vote on the levy. The five-year levy generates $96,000 annually for operating expenses, which includes staffing, the library materials budget and programming budget, Schaffner said. Without the funds from the levy, cuts would have to be made to hours, services, programs, the library materials budget and staffing, she said. "It's one-third of our budget so there's definitely a need," she said. For the homeowner of a property valued at $100,000, the additional cost is $29 per year or approximately $2.42 a month. When the levy was approved in 2018, it was a new levy that passed at 76.89%, said Schaffner. The levy helps provide fine-free materials like books, magazines and eBooks; DVDs and Blu-rays; free WiFi and Hotspots; free notary service; copier/scanner/faxes; programming for all ages; computers; a meeting room that is free for nonprofits; laminating services; and an Ellison machine and die cuts. "For a little library we do a lot," she said. Libraries are so much more than books these days, she said. "We want to support our community by choosing the materials and the items that they're asking for, getting them into the right hands, and offering and providing the free services that are needed," said Schaffner. "And it's one of the few places where everyone is welcome. It doesn't matter your age, your gender, your economic status, we level the playing field for everyone." The staff estimates that about 28,000 visitors will visit the library this year. "Pre-COVID we were seeing 30,000. We are almost back to our pre-COVID numbers where we were before," she said. "We're seeing an increase in our circulation compared to last year. We're seeing an increase in visitors so we're getting there." Other area levies Hancock County voters who live in the Hardin Northern School District will be asked to renew a 0.5 mill operating levy for operating expenses. The library, which is located in Dunkirk, includes families who live in Hardin County. Library director Becky Coker they don't have an exact number of Hancock County families who live in the school district, but they believe it's a handful of people. The five-year levy generates $36,421 a year for the library. It will cost homeowners $16 a year for each $100,000 of appraised value of their property. The Ada Public Library is also seeking a 1-mill, five-year renewal. Library director Rhett Grant said the library follows the boundaries of the Ada School District and has voters in Hardin County, with some in Hancock County. The tax is estimated to collect $113,000 annually for the operating expenses. For every $100,000 worth of property, the additional tax is $34 annually. Grant said the money goes to pay for operating expenses like heat, air conditioning, water and programs. Recently 21 youth visited the library to decorate pumpkins, he said. "The money goes to operating funds and really helps us fund our programming," said Grant.