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Public Library operating levy on the Nov. 5 ballot

State income to libraries continues to decrease

The Ada Public Library will ask voters for a 1-mill, 5-year, operating expense levy on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, according to Rhett Grant, library director.

The cost of the levy is approximately $35 per year for owners of a $100,000 home, or less than 10 cents per day ($1.82 per month).

“The amount of income from the State of Ohio, paid through the Hardin County Auditor, has dropped over the last few years,” said Grant. “We seek to recover that loss and not be as dependent upon the State of Ohio.”

He added that the library is not asking for the levy to reduce any funds from the recent library building addition.

“That money was paid for through a trust and money, which had been set aside for many years,” he said. “Even the furniture for the renovation was paid for through a very generous donation.”

“We humbly request this levy to continue offering the best programs and materials we can, while maintaining hours and staff. Without the levy, we face a reduction in hours, materials, staff time and services,” he said.

In 2018 – not counting the summer reading program – the library offered 194 programs for children, 40 for teens and 91 for adults. That totaled 325 programs with an attendance of 5,318.

Additional information about the library and the levy is on a fact sheet below.

Grant said that he is available to talk with any Ada organization to further explain the levy. Persons may contact him at 419-634-5246 or by e-mail at [email protected].

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