Boyle County approves library tax rates, appoints Lainie Castaneda to library board

The Boyle County Fiscal Court voted to approve the Library District’s tax rates and to confirm a board appointment during its Aug. 27 meeting.

Library Director Colleen Hall told the court the Library District board voted Aug. 16 to adopt compensating rates: real property at 7.2%, personal property at 8.6% and a fixed motor vehicle rate of 3.5%. Hall said the figures are compensating rates and described a large increase in library use: more foot traffic, expanded outreach and higher program attendance and completion rates.

“We're circulating almost a thousand things a month in our outreach department, and our total circulation went up from about 219,000 last year to 261,000 this year,” Hall said, summarizing year‑over‑year gains and an 80% completion rate in the summer reading program she contrasted with the national average.

The court approved the tax rates by voice vote. Earlier the judge recommended the appointment of Lainie Castaneda to the Boyle County Library District Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2025; the court approved the appointment and the judge presented Castaneda with a certificate of recognition.

Hall also reviewed library programs and partnerships, including bookmobile stops, facility visits, plans for outreach events and a Mellon grant the library received. The director said the library will continue to expand community programming and welcomed feedback on local needs.

Next steps: the tax rates take effect as prescribed under local process; the library will continue outreach and program work discussed at the meeting.