Support Issue 20 to sustain Tuscarawas County libraries

Our public libraries are busier than ever and continue to be a vital part of a healthy community. Please support your Tuscarawas County Public Library System with a vote for Issue 20 in this fall’s general election.

Passage of this replacement levy will annually generate $436,000 for our five library locations — New Philadelphia, Bolivar, Strasburg, Tuscarawas and Sugarcreek, and our bookmobile and mobile services for outreach to nursing homes and other locations. 

This levy is not about state of the art buildings and gadgets, it’s about sustaining the same wonderful “library” we have enjoyed for decades. It’s the money needed for our library workers and for rising utility and repair bills. It’s money needed for books and access to the world’s expanding store of knowledge; for entertainment and essential data searches alike.

Of course the levy involves increased taxpayer support moving forward. But the increase in this particular case is small. This is the same one mill the voters approved in 2014 but the one mill would be levied upon 2025 property values. The average homeowner cost increase would be less than four dollars monthly. The tax will not increase for the newly assessed 2026 values or upon future rises in property values. 

This ballot request has been caused by all the cost increases shrinking the value of the 2014 levy: now only covering 70% of what it was designed for. Further, libraries in Ohio have received funding cuts from the state’s legislature.

Demand for what our libraries offer is not abating in the age of the personal computer and iPhone. The records which our libraries and others keep show increased library use, including demand for books, videos, internet access, programs for kids, teens and adults, and meeting room access. Your library needs your help. Once again, please vote in favor of Issue 20.

David Worth

TCPLS Board Member