Issue 23 | March 15, 2016

What is the Lorain Library levy?

The Lorain Library levy will be on the March 15 ballot for those who reside in the Lorain
City Schools district. The five year, 5.95 mill levy is a renewal and an increase - a
renewal of the current 4.08 mill operating levy approved in 2011 and a small increase of
1.87 mills. The levy is for five years. It will generate about $3,283,209 per year, which
is 89 percent of the direct expenses for the Main Library and South Lorain Branch.
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 the Lorain City Schools
district?
An owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 in the Lorain City Schools district
will pay $15.87 per month - less than the cost of a hardback best-seller.
Are funds raised by this levy only used to operate Lorain libraries?
Yes. By law, all funds raised by the Lorain Library levy must go directly to support the
operations at the Main Library and South Lorain Branch.
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 Main
Library and South Lorain Branch benefit from taking advantage of the library systems
ability to share services and resources. However, the hours, services and library
materials locally at the Main Library and South Lorain Branch rest increasingly in the
hands of Lorain City Schools district residents and their local levy support.
Tell me about the Main Library and South Lorain Branch.
Both libraries play an important role in their respective communities. In 2014, 1,072,981
library materials were borrowed from the Main Library and South Lorain Branch, and
51,855 people had library cards. 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 rooms at their Lorain libraries. In
2014, community groups used the meeting rooms over 275 times. Lorain libraries have
75 computers for public use, and offer programs for all ages from story times and
computer instruction to exercise sessions and Yarn Club. In focus group meetings held in
2015, an emphasis was placed on young people and the library working with schools.
Staff has been more active with schools - conducting programs at schools, teaching
students how to use the eLibrary, and welcoming schools and day cares into the library.
Revised: Jan. 27, 2016

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Issue 23 | March 15, 2016

I never use the Main Library anymore because of the homeless people. Why
should I vote for the library?
The library serves everyone in the community. Homeless people who visit the library are
not a library problem. Homelessness needs to be addressed by people and organizations
that receive funds to work with the homeless. Library staff has recently made shelves
shorter for better visibility, which improves safety.
How will the outcome of this levy affect the Main Library and South Lorain
Branch?
A PASSING LEVY:
A FAILING LEVY:
Provides funds to maintain current
library services.
Provides up-to-date books,
research materials and resources.
Maintains current library hours.

Would force even more cuts than listed below

that would devastate the libraries.
Reduces purchasing of new books, movies,
music, magazines and resource materials.
Reduces open hours. The Main Library would
be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays. The South Lorain Branch
would be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays.
Offers public computer stations
Removes 40 of the 54 public computer
that provide access to the
stations at the Main Library, and eight of 21
Internet. This technology supports public computer stations at the South Lorain
homework, job search and eBranch, limiting patron access to computers
government needs, as well as
and the Internet.
provisions for those who do not
have computer or Internet access
at home.
Keeps highly trained, expert staff
Reduces staff at the Main Library from 42 to
in the library to assist residents.
16 positions, and staff at the South Lorain
Branch from nine to three part-time positions.
Provides programs for children
Eliminates library programs, except one story
and families, and computer and
time a week at the Main Library and South
Internet classes for adults.
Lorain Branch, and one computer class a week
at the Main Library.
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 up-to-date and
where seniors keep their minds active by learning new skills and developing new
hobbies.
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Issue 23 | March 15, 2016

The Main Library and South Lorain Branch provide critical community services. They are
technology centers, serve as offices away from home and meeting places for community
groups. People also come to the library to use computers for e-government resources.
They come looking for help in filing unemployment 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.

Revised: Jan. 27, 2016

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