Wayne library to put property tax on ballot

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Marilyn Shepherd (right)
uses a computer at Wayne Library in Wayne. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

WAYNE – Wayne Public Library officials are asking Elmwood Schools residents for help.
The library will go on the ballot in November with a 1-mill property tax for operating expenses.
Library officials approached the Elmwood Board of Education Monday to approve the measure.
The school board has jurisdiction over the library when it comes to levies, and per Ohio Revised Code, is
the taxing agent.
Although the library is in Wayne, it is basically "Elmwood’s public library," said school
Superintendent Tony Borton.
Deb Gross, fiscal clerk at the library, explained that she has lost 28 percent of her state funding since
2007, and another 4 percent this year.
"If you value your library, you’re going to have to pay for it," said Gross.
She said the library has had to cut staff to offset declining revenue. The library now employees six, and
had 10 on staff in 2009, said library Director Teresa Barnhart.
She also attended Monday’s meeting along with library board President Tim Hoiles.
Last year, the library circulated 66,700 books and 22,500 DVDs through its doors, said Gross.
Getting voters in Bloomdale and Cygnet to support the levy is "our hard sell," she admitted.

The libraries in those two communities closed in 2004.
Wayne library has decreased material purchases 34 percent since 2007, but has seen resource sharing
increase by 43 percent, said Barnhart.
Resource sharing is check outs and check ins from other libraries.
"It would be a travesty to lose this very special friend in the community," said elementary
Principal Michelle Tuite.
The library delivers books to the school that have been requested by teachers, and also participates in
the annual Fall Festival.
Borton pointed out a Wayne library card holder can use that card at the Wood County District Public
Library in Bowling Green.
In fact, the card can be used at any SEO Consortium library, said Barnhart, including those in Findlay,
Fostoria, Bowling Green and Perrysburg.
The levy would run for five years and collect $127,717 per year based on current assessed values, said
Barnhart. That would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $35 per year.
The money would be used for operating expenses, including the purchasing of new materials plus computer
upgrades.
Each new book costs the library $25 on average, and each new DVD is $20.
The library continues to save money where it can: In 2007, the library was closed 12 days. In 2013, that
increased to 21 days.
Ninety-eight percent of its funding comes from the state, and the library is back to 1996 state funding
levels, said Barnhart. Only two percent of funding comes from fines, fees, gifts and donations.
The library supplies books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs and DVDs for both children and adults; public
computers and free Wi-Fi; and summer reading programs.
It is up to the school board to file the appropriate paperwork with the Wood County Board of Elections.

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