Issue 13 | March 15, 2016

What is the Domonkas Library levy?

The Domonkas Library levy will be on the March 15 ballot for city of Sheffield Lake
residents. The five year, 2.95 mill levy is a renewal with an increase - a renewal
of the current 2.2 mill operating levy approved in 2011 and a small increase of .75
mills. The levy is for five years. It will generate about $434,568 per year, which
is 84 percent of the direct expenses for the Domonkas Branch Library.
Why is the levy needed?
The current levy will expire at the end of 2016. Since 2008, there has been a
reduction in state funding for public libraries. Add to that increased foreclosures
and declining property values - which reduce local property tax revenues - and
youll understand the librarys funding crisis. Without the levy, library officials will
be forced to make drastic cuts. Those cuts are listed on Page 2.
How much will the levy cost the owner of a home in Sheffield Lake?
An owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 in the city of Sheffield Lake
will pay $7.80 per month about the cost of a new paperback best-seller.
Are funds raised by this levy only used to operate the Domonkas
Branch?
Yes. By law, all funds raised by the Domonkas Library levy must go directly to
support the operations at the Domonkas Branch Library.
The Lorain Public Library System board of trustees is committed to wisely
managing tax dollars to preserve as many core library services as possible within
the budget. The Domonkas Branch Library benefits from taking advantage of the
library systems ability to share services and resources. However, the hours,
services and library materials locally at the Domonkas Branch rest increasingly in
the hands of Sheffield Lake residents and their local levy support.
Tell me about the Domonkas Branch Library.
Since 2010, library cardholders have increased by 18 percent. The eLibrary
offers eBooks, digital audiobooks and magazines, streaming music and movies,
and other downloadables. There is no charge for community organizations to use
the meeting room at the Domonkas Branch Library. The library offers 21
computers for public use, plus free Wi-Fi. The computers at the Domonkas
Branch are used about 1,400 times per month. In an adult focus group meeting
in the summer of 2015, creating young readers was listed as the librarys top
priority. The library regularly offers story times where adults are encouraged to
participate so they can learn how to become the childrens first teachers. At the
same focus group, participants said the community center atmosphere of the
library is a favored concept. Focus group attendees highlighted new, unique
programs like cookbook discussions that have drawn interest from senior
citizens. Exercise sessions that the library now offers are in high demand.
Why should someone on a fixed income vote for the Domonkas Library
levy?
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Issue 13 | March 15, 2016

The services offered at the
Domonkas Branch Library are of great value. The library helps to stretch your
budget. As a member of CLEVNET, library cardholders have access to more than
10 million items. Add to that computer, Internet and Wi-Fi access,
instructional programming and knowledgeable staf, and the importance of
your library is immeasurable.
How will the outcome of this levy afect the Domonkas Branch Library?
A PASSING LEVY:

A FAILING LEVY:

Provides funds to maintain current library

services.
Provides up-to-date books,
research materials and resources.

Would force even more cuts than listed

below that would devastate the library.
Reduces purchasing of new books,
movies, music, magazines and
resource materials.
Maintains current library hours.
Reduces open hours. The
Domonkas Branch Library would
be open three days a week, on
Mondays, Wednesdays and
Saturdays.
Offers public computer stations
Removes 12 of the 21 public
that provide access to the
computer stations, limiting patron
Internet. This technology supports access to computers and the
homework, job search and eInternet.
government needs, as well as
provisions for those who do not
have computer or Internet access
at home.
Keeps highly trained, expert staff
Reduces staff from eight to three
in the library to assist residents.
part-time positions.
Provides programs for children
Eliminates library programs,
and families, and computer and
except one story time a week.
Internet classes for adults.
WITHOUT THE LEVY, YOUR BASIC SERVICES ARE AT RISK. Many children,
teens, families, adults and seniors depend on the librarys free materials, services
and programs as their link to lifelong learning. Its where children enjoy story
time and develop a love of reading and learning, where adults keep their skills upto-date and where seniors keep their minds active by learning new skills and
developing new hobbies.
The Domonkas Branch Library provides critical community services. It is a
technology center, serves as an office away from home and a meeting place for
community groups. People also come to the library to use computers for egovernment resources. They come looking for help in filing unemployment
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Issue 13 | March 15, 2016

documents, in job searches and
resume preparation.
Educational, recreational, social and informational needs are being met every day
at the library. The public library remains one of the best organizations that serve
people of all ages and from every walk of life. The library supplements tight
household budgets and is one of the best investments you can make.

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