North Baltimore library plans levy on Nov. ballot

6/25/2010

NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio — The North Baltimore Public Library is turning to voters this fall to help make up the loss in state library funding.

North Baltimore library trustees plan to place a 1.95-mill operating levy on the November ballot that is expected to generate approximately $136,000 a year for a continuing period. Residents of the North Baltimore school district will vote on the levy, which marks the first time the library has requested local tax support, Library Director Lesley Mc Kinstry said.

Ms. McKinstry said state funding — the library's primary source of revenue — dropped from $401,086 in 2007 to $314,859 in 2009. The library has reduced hours, staff, wages, material purchases, and programs to keep its doors open.

“If the levy passes, we won't be able to return to a full 62 hours of operations, but we'd like to go back to 52,” Ms. Mc-Kinstry said. “We'd like to have employees back to a 40-hour work week, increase our budgets for materials, and try to get as far back on track as we can.”

The Wood County District Public Library plans to place a five-year, 0.8-mill operating levy on the November ballot that would raise $1,036,000 a year for library operations.