Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What: Tours, story time, face painting and refreshments will be featured at the weekend event to demonstrate what the library has to offer. The event also will promote support of the library levy on the Nov. 2 ballot.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Girard Free Library, 105 E. Prospect St., Girard.
Information: Call the library at 330-545-2508 or visit www.girard.lib.oh.us. Library hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
105 E. Prospect St., Girard
By LINDA M. LINONIS
GIRARD
For the first time in its 90-year history, the Girard Free Library is seeking financial assistance from the community in the form of a 1.5-mill operating levy.
“It would generate about $216,000 a year,” said Rose Ann Lubert, library director. In dollars, the cost would be $34 for a homeowner whose residence is valued at $75,000 and $46 for a homeowner of a house worth $100,000. The levy will be on the Nov. 2 ballot. Early voting already is under way.
“We have the endorsement of city council and board of education,” Lubert said. “And so many people have come in to get signs to put in their yards.”
If the levy passes, Lubert said funds will go to purchase new materials such as books and programs, upgrading computers and restoring some hours that had been cut.
If the levy fails, Lubert said hours will be reduced even more, a four-day week may have to go into effect, and no new materials could be purchased.
Because of funding cuts by Ohio, which provides nearly 100 percent of the library budget, Girard eliminated Thursday night hours and reduced Saturday hours. If the levy passes, Lubert said Thursday night hours would be restored and Saturday hours would be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 2010 budget is slightly more than $600,000, Lubert said, adding that she anticipated the 2011 budget to be below that figure. The funds generated by the operating levy would enable the library to expand hours and buy materials.
The staff is at 12, including Lubert, and includes children’s, young adult and reference librarian and support staff. Four part-time positions were eliminated, and two employees retired.
Statistics from 2009 show that library users borrowed some 170,631 books, magazines and DVDs, and 16,843 patrons used and were assisted on the library’s computers.
Linda McKernan, a member of the political-action committee promoting the library levy, said, “The library is a necessity in this day and age.”
The committee mailed out a flier on the library, describing it as “your site for lifelong learning.” McKernan said another mailing will go out Oct. 27, just before Election Day, repeating facts and figures about library usage and what will happen if the levy fails.
She also said committee members planned to meet tonight to send out “friend-to-friend” postcards on the levy to everyone they know. Bob McClurkin is committee chairman and William Ague is treasurer.
Friends of the Library paid for two billboards promoting the levy. Both are on U.S. Route 422, one near Trumbull Avenue and the other by Center Street.
McKernan emphasized that the drastic cuts by the state to libraries have put the Girard library “in dire straights.” Girard Free Library is one of seven independent libraries in Trumbull County.
The library was established in 1920 and originally housed in the city building. In 1973, the contemporary-style building was constructed at 105 E. Prospect St. McKernan credited the library board with financial acumen and budgeting skill that built the library at no cost to the community. Until now, she added, there’s never been a levy or bond issue for the library.