Passage of levy  is allowing library  to improve services

5:41 PM Saturday, July 31, 2010

Passage of levy  is allowing library  to improve services

Since the passage of the Clark County Public Library operating levy in May, the library staff and board have been studying our improved budgetary outlook.

First of all, it is important to remember that the passage of the levy on May 3 does not provide instant new funding. The tax revenues will not begin to reach the library until sometime in February or March.

We cannot restore all the materials and services that were cut unless we dip into reserve funds, which would not be fiscally responsible.

However, based on income projections, some positive changes will be made. The book drops at all locations will be available for use when the library is closed.

This will be made possible by restoring to our employees a portion of the the paid time that had been cut. This will ensure that staff are available to empty the book drops.

We will begin to restore funding for new materials, primarily books. We plan to hire a children’s librarian to manage the Lenski Room, which has been operated by five part-time employees.

As the projections become reality and the tax revenue is in hand, more services will gradually be restored.

We are grateful to the citizens of Clark County who recognized the importance of a full-service, full-time library with adequate resources and voted to tax themselves to make that library a reality.

Rest assured that the library staff and board are committed to being excellent stewards of the library funds as well as to providing the finest library service possible.

Sally Rizer, director

Clark County Public Library

Lucille Cronin, president

Clark County Public

Library Board of Trustees

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