One of the local issues on the Nov. 8 ballot is an Ada Public Library renewal levy. The Icon held an in-depth discussion about the levy with Amanda Bennett, library director.
Icon: Why is this levy important for the Ada Public Library?
Bennett: Due to library funding cuts, libraries, through 2015, we are still functioning on the same budget schedules as they had been in the late 1990s.
Voters passed the library's first 1-mil levy for operating costs in 2012. On Nov. 8 is a renewal of that levy.
In its first year, the renewal is expected to bring in over $93,000, which makes up nearly a quarter of the Ada Library's yearly budget. That money ensures that the library can maintain its night and weekend hours, and continue to provide the excellent materials and service the community has come to expect and appreciate.
Icon: Describe the Nov. 8 levy:
Bennett: It's a 1-mill five-year renewal operating levy.
Icon: What will the levy cost the typical property owner?
Bennett: A home valued at $100,000 would cost approximately $20 per year, or $1.66 per month.
Icon: How much will the library levy raise in a year?
Bennett: It's projected to raise approximately $93,960 during the first year of collection, based on the current tax valuation of the Ada School District.
Icon: In your opinion, how important is the Ada Public Library to the Ada community?
Bennett: Here is some information we're pretty proud of:
Aside from programing at the library, the library also does outreach in the community, reading to all of the Kindergarten and first grade classes at the Ada Exempted School, as well as reading to the Ada Exempted School preschool, and Ready, Set, Grow Preschool.
We've also begun outreach to Vancrest of Ada. The library is a thriving presence, doing much with a limited staff of two full-time and four part-time employees.
Icon: Can you give us some library statistics?
Bennett: Yes. For example, in 2015 the library had 4,288 registered users. Our total circulation of physical material reached 76,282. Downloadable material, such as e-books and audio files reached 3,302.
Icon: How many patrons visit the library in the past year?
Bennett: We've had 32,500 visits, visits to the library in 2015. The library offered 268 children's programs with 5,936 persons in attendance, 113 teen programs with 608 in attendance, and 91 adult programs with 1,027 people in attendance.
Icon: What will happen if the levy does not pass?
Bennett: The lack of additional funds will result in library operations facing a reduction in hours, materials, staff time, and services.
Icon: How will a successful levy result in library services?
Bennett: The funds will be used to maintain evening and weekend hours, allow us to continue our dedication to educational and fun programing for all ages, and continue purchasing the highest quality library materials.
Icon: What is the library's service area?
Bennett: The Ada Public Library includes the entire school district of Ada, which includes Hardin County, and a sliver of Hancock County with a service population of 7,953 people.
Icon: Who operates the library?
Bennett: The Ada Public Library is administered by a seven-member board of library trustees, which includes the superintendent of schools, as well as six members approved by the Ada Exempted Village Schools Board of Education.
Icon: What did the citizens of Ada get for their library dollars last year?
Bennett: In 2015 the Ada Library was open 2,704 hours, circulated 76,284 items, logged 4,428 uses of our eight computers, and provided 472 programs with a total attendance of 7,571.
