Your Library. Your Questions, Answered.
What the Library is asking:
The Library is seeking a renewal of its existing .75 mill levy, with an additional .5 mill increase for a continuous term.
Who does this affect?
Photo Credit: Sam Brown
The service area of the Pickerington Public Library is the same as the Pickerington Local School District: this area includes all City of Pickerington residents and most residents of Violet Township.
What is the current cost to Pickerington and Violet Township homeowners?
Currently, Pickerington and Violet Township homeowners are paying $21.17 per $100,000 of home value to support the library.
How will that cost change?
The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $38.67 per year. At an increase of $17.50 per $100,000 of home value, that comes out to $3.22 per month, or about $.10 per day.
What will you do if the levy passes?
The Library plans to expand its services!
- Bring services to the northwest area of Pickerington/Violet Township
- Provide access to new and emerging technologies
Photo Credit: Sam Brown
- Increase hours open to the public at the Sycamore Plaza Library branch
What has the Library done since the last levy?
Since the last levy passed in November 2009, the Pickerington Public Library Library has expanded its available resources, events, and classes, as well as extended its service area by opening its Sycamore Plaza Library branch in Violet Township.
Services added include:
- After-school Homework Help Centers at all locations, for K-12 students
- Mobile hotspots
- 24-Hour Pickup Lockers
- Free notarization
- Free scanning and faxing services
- Three times the number of classes and events
Not only that, but use of our services since the last levy has only continued to increase:
- Circulation of library materials has increased 67%. The library currently circulates more than 130,000 books, DVDs, magazines, games, and more.
- Reference questions answered has increased 69%. The Library continues to help adults with computer and technology instruction, and job search resources; and to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
- Event attendance has increased 27%. This includes early literacy classes that prepare children for school, test prep classes for students readying themselves for college, and author visits that connect readers to beloved authors.
What will happen if this levy does not pass?
The Library will lose 57% of its potential revenue. It will have to make cuts in the following areas:
- Services
- Resources
- Hours of operation
- Staffing
How else are you funded?
The Pickerington Public Library’s other primary funding source is the State of Ohio’s Public Library Fund.
Funding from the state is not stable: it is down 11.5% from 2008, and 2017 state funding levels were less than they were 20 years ago
Additional funding comes from grants, fees, and interest on investments.
For more information about voting in this year’s general election on November 6, use our voter information guide to get started!
