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Library officials urge Harrison residents to support May levy to avoid cuts
Summary
Public Library branch manager told council the county system faces a 26% state funding cut since 2000 and asked Harrison residents to back a May levy that costs less than $3 per month per $100,000 of property value to prevent multimillion-dollar annual deficits and preserve local services.
Michelle Elliott, branch manager for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's Harrison branch, briefed council on library usage and finances and urged support for a May levy to maintain services.
Elliott said the Harrison location hosted more than 475 events last year with roughly 17,000 attendees and that about 45 percent of programming focused on early literacy. She told the council the library system's state funding has fallen 26 percent since 2000 while circulation has risen 60 percent; local funding levels have not kept pace. "Without it, we simply cannot meet our existing facility or customer needs," Elliott said of the levy, adding that the cost is "less than $3 a month per $100,000 of property value."
Elliott described planned uses of levy revenue if approved: prevent multimillion-dollar annual deficits, renovate older branch buildings, replace worn furniture and carpet, maintain digital content circulation, and continue programs and public Internet access. Council members voiced support and offered to help with publicity and logistics for the campaign.
The library said the levy would allow it to maintain service levels across branches and avoid cuts to hours, materials and programs; council members encouraged residents to attend outreach and volunteer where possible. Elliott said more details and outreach will follow as the levy date approaches.
