Tuscarawas County Public Library plans October town halls to discuss levy renewal

The Tuscarawas County Public Library System will host informational town hall meetings in October at each of its five locations to discuss the library’s upcoming levy.

The levy, on the November ballot, is a replacement of the library’s 1-mill continuous levy originally passed in 2014. Passage will support the Main Library and Operations Center in New Philadelphia, branches in Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek and Tuscarawas, as well as bookmobile and mobile service operations.

“Deciding to go to taxpayers for support is something our Board of Trustees considers carefully,” said Library Director Michelle McMorrow Ramsell. “They never want to ask the taxpayer for more than is needed. The Board determined that asking the voters to replace the 1-mill levy would enable the TCPL to continue to provide the services that the community has come to rely upon.”

The replacement levy will cost taxpayers an additional $10.65 per year per $100,000 of valuation and generate an additional $436,000 annually for the county library system.

During the town hall meetings, residents can learn more about the levy, meet staff, ask questions and tour facilities. All meetings begin at 6 p.m.

Town hall dates are:

– Monday, Oct. 13, at the Main Library and Operations Center, 121 Fair Ave. NW, New Philadelphia

– Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Strasburg Branch, 356 Fifth St. SW

– Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Bolivar Branch, 455 W. Water St.

– Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Tuscarawas Branch, 209 S. Main St.

– Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Sugarcreek Branch, 120 S. Broadway

For more information or to register to attend, visit the library’s online event calendar at tusclibrary.org.