Tue Feb 09 2010
By LISA NICELY
PAULDING -- By paying pennies a day, Paulding County voters can save hundreds a year through the county library system, supporters of a countywide levy say.
The Paulding County Carnegie Library has placed a five-year, 2.17-mill levy for operating costs on the Nov. 3 ballot. If passed, it would raise $650,000 a year for the library district, which includes the main library in Paulding and branches in Antwerp, Oakwood and Payne.
The levy will cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 approximately $75.95 per year, according to the county auditor's office. That's approximately 21 cents a day.
In 2008, a library levy was defeated by 600 votes.
"I did a rough estimate adding up all the countywide issues (five on November ballot) on what it would cost the owner of a $100,000 home," said Susan Pieper, library director. "It would cost $287 a year. If a family borrowed five movies a week from the library instead of renting them that would save them more than double the cost of all the levies."
The library adds extra savings to homeowners, too, since individuals can get library books instead of buying the books they want. Considering each book costs about $20 each, that can add up quickly.
There is also an increased value for having a public library system, Pieper said.
"It's the foundation of democracy and learning," she said. "The public library is the cultural center of a rural community. It changes so many lives. Everybody loves the library. It's hard to vote for any levy now, but the library (levy) will pay for itself."
Besides the levy paying for itself, the library system can lead to positive changes for community members, according to Pieper.
"This is an educational institution for lifelong learning and independent study," she explained. "We have books on resumes, job books and more things to enhance someone's life or change their life."
Revenue from the levy would help the library district cover its operating costs, which have taken a serious blow in recent years.
The county does not help fund the library. More than 90 percent of the Paulding County Carnegie Library's funding comes from state tax revenue. The state cut library funding by 31 percent this year, and it is expected to make further cuts the next two years.
"Our (state) revenue could be as little as half of what it was in 2001," said Pieper. In 2001, the library received $763,729 from the Local Library Government Support Fund. This year's funds have been cut from $689,732 to $482,730. Next year's cuts haven't been made, but one figure has the system getting $334,000 to operate from the state.
The library board has been working with the cuts, but not much more can be done without seriously harming the library system, Pieper stated, noting that fees for inter-library loans and DVDs have been instituted already and there has been a freeze on purchasing new books and other materials since June.
"We have bit the bullet and cut our budget to the core," said Pieper. "Everyone, even administrators, cut hours. We closed some days to save on utilities. We stopped buying books. You can't have a public library without current info. That's what so frustrating. We don't want to beg, but we are. Please ensure a strong library for tomorrow for our children by voting for this levy. We cannot continue to have a quality library service in this county without help from the citizens."
If the levy passes, Pieper said she would start ordering books to fill the big gap in the collection since the purchasing freeze began. Other cutbacks such as canceling fees for materials and possibly having all branches operating six days a week may be instituted after the levy revenue is collected.
She added that the board has and will do the best it can with funding available for now.
"We have a very fiscally conservative board," Pieper said. "They look at everything and we've been very responsible and good stewards of the public's trust."
If the levy is defeated, the library board will have to make cost-cutting decisions which may include closing branches, laying off staff or cutting library hours and services, according to Pieper.
"I don't want to close a branch or lay off employees," she said. "I just don't' see how we can keep things operating the way they are. It breaks my heart. We're going to have to make some serious decisions if this (levy) fails."
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