New materials will be rolling into the library in 2013.
Next year will see the Wood County District Public Library spend the most on new materials than at any
time in its history.
At the library board’s Tuesday meeting, trustees approved a budget totalling $2.69 million, including
$372,500 to be spent on new materials – the largest amount ever.
Board chair Brian Paskvan said that such an increase was planned in the library’s strategic plan; it was
noted that levy funds have enabled the library to make such an expenditure.
Among the focuses of the new materials purchases will be ebooks, which have become increasingly popular
items. In addition, a recent deal with a publisher has allowed the library to receive $80,000 in free
ebooks for its holdings.
"We have an opportunity to make a really strong investment in new materials," said Library
Director Michael Penrod.
Also included in the budget is a $278,000 mortgage loan payment on the library itself, saving $30,000.

The payment of that loan leaves only one loan remaining on the library’s books, amounting to $18,000 per
year.
A raise for staff was also approved, bringing hourly wages to $8.10 per hour. They had been at a height
of $8.16 per hour before the recession, and the amount has been slowly rising.
Penrod, and fiscal officer Linda Joseph, were also voted 2.7 percent raises. Board members expressed
universal appreciation for their work.
In other action, the board discussed a 20-year library maintenance forecast, predicting $2.1 million in
expenditures through that time.
Penrod termed the forecast a "dynamic" document that is to be updated each year. On average,
$75,000 to $80,000 will be spent on maintenance each year.
The board further approved that $200,000 be moved from the general fund into a capital account in
preparation for future maintenance expenditures.
Outgoing board member Anna Griffith was also honored by the board for her nine years of service.