Library board of trustees president encourages voters to renew levy – BG Independent News

Library board of trustees president encourages voters to renew levy – BG Independent News

On Nov. 3, you will be asked to vote for a renewal of the Wood County District Public Library’s operating levy which accounts for about 38% of the library’s total tax revenues. I am writing today to ask you to join me in voting yes for the library. This local operating levy is a renewal of the levy first passed in 2010 and renewed again in 2014 and 2020. A renewal is not a new tax. If approved, it will collect the same amount of funds each year. Renewal of this levy is essential to keep the library strong. With your support of this local levy, plus state funding and private philanthropy, the library has annually been able to offer the programs, resources, and services requested by patrons. In fact, over the past several years, the use of the library has grown. From 2022 through 2025, borrowing of books and other items has grown 19%, the count of visitors to the buildings has grown 27%, summer reading participation has increased 22%, and attendance at library programs has increased 82%. Your commitment to the library brings smiles to children and families during story time and youth-focused events and educational opportunities. Funding also buys the books local readers are searching for, offers one-on-one technology help or job search help, maintains the buildings entrusted to us by the community, and so much more. In addition to voting for the renewal, help us get the message out by placing a “Vote Yes for the Library” sign in your yard. You can pick up a library levy yard sign at Grounds for Thought. Also, you can email a levy volunteer at ILoveWCDPL@gmail.com, and a sign will be delivered to your yard. Please help keep the library the robust community gem we have all come to depend on. Vote yes for the library on Nov. 3. Ken FrischPresident, Wood County District Public Library Board of Trustees