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Saint Tammany library seeks continuation millage; Covington branch among system's busiest
Summary
A library representative told the Covington City Council the Saint Tammany Parish Library will ask voters on March 29 to continue a 15-year millage that provides roughly 96% of the system's operating funding; the library is asking for 4.35 mills, down from the 5.35 mills paid in 2024, and leaders said services and local branch projects
Tanya DiMaggio, representing the Saint Tammany Parish Library, addressed the Covington City Council on March 11 to explain an upcoming ballot question that would continue the library's 15-year millage. The library is asking voters to approve 4.35 mills as a continuation of the existing funding mechanism; DiMaggio said that rate is one mill lower than the 5.35 mills collected in 2024.
DiMaggio presented usage statistics for the parish-wide system and the Covington branch: system-wide circulation exceeded one million items in 2024; about 60 percent of checkouts were physical items while 40 percent were downloadable e-books and audiobooks. The Covington branch checked out approximately 124,956 items, DiMaggio said, and saw almost 80,000 branch visits and about 26,000 indoor Wi-Fi uses last year.
She told council members the millage funds about 96 percent of the library's operating budget, with the remainder made up of state revenue sharing, fines and fees and occasional grants. According to DiMaggio, the library has used previous millage proceeds for capital projects across the parish and plans to replace aging branch facilities and proceed with a systemwide technology upgrade if voters approve the continuation. She emphasized that the proposal is a continuation and not a new tax or a renewal in local terms.
Council members thanked the presenter and noted the Covington branch's recent renovation and new outdoor features. DiMaggio encouraged residents to consult the library's website for more detailed service lists and said library staff would distribute informational flyers and bookmarks to the public.
