Most Libraries in Ohio Win Their Levy Elections
State funding cuts prompt ballots; libraries in Cincinnati, Dayton, Youngstown among winners
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 11/4/2009
- 30 out of 37 ballots successful for PLs
- "Unbelievable success rate," says OLC
- Cincinnati last major OH city to institute local levy
Since state support for Ohio’s public libraries was cut 30 percent this past summer, library systems turned to short-term remedies (layoffs, service cuts) and long-range solutions, such as more local levies. The latter strategy was successful, as yesterday voters approved 30 out of 37 (with one recount) levies supporting libraries. Most were new measures and, out of 29 new ballots, 23 were successful.
Th
is was the largest number of library levies in a single election in the state, according to the Ohio Library Council (OLC). "It was an unbelievable success rate," OLC executive director Doug Evans told LJ, noting that 81 percent of the measures were approved.
OLC provided a chart of all election results.
Among the winners
Some 73 percent of voters approved a new five-year, one-mill levy for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (above left). The 41-branch system was hit by a 28 percent loss in state funding and was the only major library in the state that lacked local funding. The levy will generate about $20 million a year for operations and maintenance.
Dayton Metro Library (DML) won a replacement levy at a new rate: 1.75 mills. Seventy one percent of voters approved the measure, which will prevent DML from laying off staff. The new levy will bring in about $4 million more, but doesn’t replace all the $4.9 million lost in state funding; staff still will be furloughed five days in 2009 and two-and-a-half days in 2010.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County renewed its five-year, 1-mill levy (below right), which would bring in about $3.6 million. Mahoning County Commissioners, however, would approve only a renewal, not a
n increase, and another levy will be needed in the spring of 2010 to restore services lost because of state cuts.
The Paulding County Carnegie Library won a new 2.17 mill levy, but is subject to a recount.
Losers
The Portage County District Library (PCDL), Garrettsville, failed in its attempt at a new levy. Only 46 percent of voters supported the five-year, .5 mil levy. PCLD won’t be able to restore reduced hours, programs, staff, delivery to daycare centers, and express pickup boxes.
The Lorain Public Library, OH, lost its bid to build a new Avon Branch. Only 32 percent of voters approved a .91 mill bond for that effort. They also rejected a 2.31 mill levy.
