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Barberton library director urges support for May 6 levy renewal, highlights services and capital needs
Summary
Barberton Public Library Director Anne Hutchison described programs, partnerships, and capital needs and said the library’s property-tax levy renewal (Issue 19) will appear on the May 6 ballot; she asked residents to support the renewal, which the library says will cost the average $100,000 homeowner about $3.25 per month.
Anne Hutchison, director of the Barberton Public Library, told the City Council committee of the whole on April 7 that the library will ask voters to renew its existing property-tax levy on May 6 and outlined the services the levy supports.
The nut: The renewal is a replacement (not an increase) of the current levy and will appear on the May 6 ballot as Issue 19. Hutchison said the levy would cost the typical $100,000 homeowner about $3.25 per month, or roughly $39 per year, and that the library is not asking for additional funds.
Hutchison described the library’s role as a community hub and summarized recent and ongoing work: the library’s 122nd anniversary, a first-floor renovation and parking-lot resurfacing completed in 2024, new circulation items and “Library of Things” loans such as hot spots and metal detectors, passport and notary services, summer reading programs, makerspace equipment funded by grants, and community partnerships including outreach to Head Start and local schools.
She said the library operates two locations (the main branch and a branch at Summa Barberton Hospital), employs 28 staff members, and runs programs that serve a wide range of ages and needs, including people with disabilities. Hutchison thanked the city for partnerships and said meeting-room space is available for public rental.
Funding detail and risk: Hutchison presented a revenue breakdown for fiscal 2024 showing property-tax levies made up just over 30% of revenue while the state Public Library Fund (PLF) supplied roughly 60%. She warned the council that the PLF faces proposals in the Ohio legislature that could reduce the PLF’s share or convert it to a line item in the state budget, which would create financial uncertainty for local libraries.
Mayor William Judge and other council members expressed support for the library and encouraged residents to vote in favor of the renewal.
Ending: Hutchison asked residents to support Issue 19 on May 6 and reiterated that the levy is a renewal that will sustain library services and capital needs such as a new roof and HVAC upgrades.
