Ada voters will begin seeing signs around the community requesting support to pass a Five-Year Renewal Levy for the Ada Public Library.

The Icon asked the library for details of the levy. Here is that information.

What is being proposed? What will it cost us? How much will actually be raised?

• A 1 mill five-year renewal operating levy is being proposed to the voters on Nov. 8. When passed this will be a continuation of the current millage—No new taxes.
• One mill means that a home valued at $100,000 would cost approximately $100/year or $8.33/month. This levy is projected to raise approximately $93,960 during the first year of collection, based on the current tax valuation of the Ada school district.

What is the current state of the library?

The Ada Public Library currently employs 2 full-time and 4 part-time employees who work to keep the library open 51 hours a week, as well as performing additional outreach hours to the Ada Schools, local seniors, and community organizations. Occasional volunteers also help to promote the library, assisting with programs, and aiding in processing and cleaning.
In 2015:

• 72,982 Materials circulated (3,302 were e-Books and downloadable audio books).
• We saw an increase of circulation in our books, DVDs, and Audiobooks.
• 1,027 Programs were held with an attendance of 7,571 people
• This is an increase in both programs offered and attendance.
• 4,428 times patrons logged onto our computers.

Public Library Fund (PLF) revenue decline 

• Through 2015, Ohio public libraries had functioned at the same budgeted amounts as they had in 2005.
• In recent years the Ohio Library Council and public libraries across Ohio began a statewide campaign to educate legislators on the importance of funding Ohio’s libraries, and the impact these institutions have in their communities.
• Resulting from these efforts was the passage, by the Ohio General Assembly, of a bill restoring some of the funding to the Public Library Fund. However, the resetting of the fund is temporary.

I rarely use the library so why should I care about funding?

Even if you don’t choose to utilize the Library, and access its millions of free books, DVDs, magazines, games, music, and more, there are still great benefits to supporting the Library in your community. Most people think of libraries as quiet places of study, but today’s libraries offer a wide variety of public services, regardless of background or income: free internet and computer usage, tools for job searching, help obtaining public assistance, etc.

Public libraries work in tandem with the local school system, and provide access to materials nights and weekends when the schools are closed. Libraries provide year round programing to encourage and foster a love of reading and learning, which will prepare children for school, and ensure their success into adulthood. Programs like Summer Reading combats the educational slide that happens during the summer break.  

Ultimately, having a thriving library in your community positively affects property values and commerce through the quality of life index - What’s not to like about that?

Please contact Amanda Bennett, Library Director, at 419-634-5246 or via email at [email protected] for questions about the Library or its upcoming levy.