click here for Help

Q. Why is the levy necessary for the library?

A. This levy replaces our 1-mill levy that expires in 2010 ($890,483). It also attempts to replace lost state Public Library Funds ($282,719 in 2009 and $452,538 in 2010) and prepares the library for anticipated future cuts. The 2010 main revenue sources are: Public Library Fund (PLF) ($949,239 or 50%) and Levy ($890,483 or 46.91%).

Q. These are tough times, why can't the Library "tighten its belt"?

A. We already have. Despite decreased state funding, the Library has worked to maintain a balanced operating budget and operate within anticipated revenue.

1. No pay raises.
2. Hiring freeze.
3. Increased fees and fines.
4. Cut materials budget by $85,000.
5. Closed one day a month with unpaid furlough.
6. Eliminated 46 magazines and 3 newspaper subscriptions.
7. Extended life cycle of PCs.
8. Cut library supplies by 24%.
9. Cut part time employees’ hours.
10. Emergency building maintenance only.

Q. What are the specifics of the levy?

A. It is a 2-mill continuous levy which will generate $1,972,105, and will be used for operating expenses. It replaces the expiring 1-mill 5-year levy and attempts to replace losses of state funding. It also attempts to bring us back to 2008 revenue levels (levy plus state funding) and provide support for the future. The levy will be on the May 4 ballot for voters in the Stow-Munroe Falls School District.

Q. What will the Library do if the levy passes?

A. We will continue the library’s tradition of providing quality materials, excellent service and innovative programs.

Q. What will the Library do if the levy fails?

A. We will be forced to make some tough decisions.
The library may:

1. Reduce library operating hours by as much as 3 days a week
2. Reduce library material purchasing
3. Reduce staff by up to 50% and continue wage and hiring freeze
4. Reduce library programs
5. Eliminate all outreach services
6. Eliminate free computer classes
7. Reduce library services to the public such as eliminate drive-up window

2009 reflects many notable landmarks.

• Library doors were open 3,436 hours.
• More than 307,914 patrons passed through our doors. This is about 10,000 more than 2008.
• Library patrons checked out a record high 789,466 items.
• We issued 3,953 cards to new patrons for an average of more than 76 per week.
• Over 150 adult computer classes delivered free instruction for 1,120 patrons.
• Story Times were enjoyed by 5,209 children.
• Our Outreach program went on 150 visits to assisted care facilities, bringing 9,529 items to 1,545 patrons who otherwise could not get to the library.
• 55 Teen Programs were attended by 1,490 young adults
• Children’s Outreach made 235 visits at 14 daycares and preschools bringing the gift of reading to 4,491 children.

Library Levy Facts & Figures

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library has been a pillar of the community since 1924. It is a place for reading and study, a safe environment for senior citizens, an entertaining gathering spot for families, and a place where young children not only have fun, but first begin interacting with their peers. In these tough economic times, the library provides essential services such as free high speed computer access and free computer training.

Revenue Projections & Reductions from 2008 level - * estimated

Why the Library is seeking a new operating levy in May

The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is placing a 2-mill continuing tax levy on the ballot in the May primary. If approved by voters, the new levy will take effect in 2011.

1. The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (SMFPL) receives approximately $896,415 from a local 5-year operating levy approved by voters that is set to expire at the end of 2010.
2. State funding accounts for approximately 50% of the library’s annual budget.
3. By state law, Ohio’s public libraries are funded by a set percentage of general revenue. In the new biennium budget, that percentage has been temporarily reduced from 2.22% to 1.97%, representing an estimated loss of $84.3 million.
4. This reduction comes on top of a decline of approximately 25% already realized as the economy has faltered.
5. The levy is necessary because of these state funding cuts; it attempts to replace lost state Public Library Funds (PLF) ($282,719 in 2009 and $452,538 in 2010) and prepare the library for anticipated future cuts.
6. The annual cost to a homeowner in the Stow-Munroe Falls area with a $150,000 home will be $91.88. This is less than $8 a month and is considerably less than many other services, including home access to the internet.

Excellent Financial Stewardship

Our library has been a good steward of public funds. Every two years an independent state audit is conducted on the Library’s financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with government accounting standards. These audits are consistently outstanding. According to Steve Faulkner, Deputy Press Secretary for the State Auditor’s Office, “the library is doing a great job of accounting public tax dollars.” (2006-2007 review)

What steps the library has taken to reduce costs and save money

Since 2009, the library has worked hard to contain costs by reducing hours of operation, cutting staff, freezing wages, deferring building maintenance, cancelling capital projects, increasing library fines and fees, cutting the materials’ budget, reducing library programming, and eliminating outreach services to some assisted care living facilities and daycares.

We’ve also created an additional revenue stream to the library through a comprehensive paper recycling program, and hired a collection agency that has recovered over $105,000 in lost materials and fines.

Also in 2009, library staff received mandatory five unpaid furlough days. In 2010, the Board of Trustees has approved plans to reduce the budget deficit by closing the library one day a month, continuing these furloughs.

However, according to the Ohio Library Council, projections for calendar year 2010 indicate that the Public Library Fund (PLF) will drop an additional 6-8% from the 2009 funding level.

All these cuts come at a time when the library is busier than ever before. Currently, 307,914 patrons visit annually and library usage has grown to 789,463 items checked out. Our library is one of the busiest in Summit County, providing essential services to all ages.

By the end of 2010, we either will have secured additional funding or will be forced to significantly cut our services and staff. At a time when our community needs us most, we have inadequate funding to meet that demand. It is difficult to accept that many of these vital programs and services may need to be cut in 2010 unless we are able to secure additional funding.

The library is important and a sound investment of taxpayer money

The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library benefits the community in many ways, including:

1. Promoting lifelong learning. A total of 307,914 patrons visited our library in 2009 and checked out 789,463 items. As a library, we provide unlimited opportunities for people of all ages to discover, learn, and grow.
2. Providing opportunities for early literacy. We presented 1,534 programs attended by 37,956 adults, children, and teens. We made over 96 visits to the Stow-Munroe Falls Schools and 235 day cares in 2009.
3. Improving quality of life to assisted care community facilities. The library made 150 visits to assisted care facilities in the Stow-Munroe Falls communities in 2009, checking out 9,529 items to 1,545 patrons.
4. Providing computer resources. The library gave 152 computer classes in 2009 to 1,120 adults, teens, and children. Patrons depend on the library for fast internet connections for accessing their email, writing resumes, applying for jobs, and more.
5. Providing culture and entertainment. The library hosted 113 programs in 2009, including visits from local authors. The Reference Department provided four book discussion groups per month, reader’s advisory service, adult summer reading programs, and other fun and informative programs and services throughout the year.
6. Providing blood drives, flu vaccinations, and tax forms, to the public. Because we are the community hub, essential area agencies use the library as a central location for administering flu vaccinations, distributing tax forms, collecting blood for the American Red Cross, and more.

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library also maintains an accessible local history collection where residents can view old yearbooks, browse through historic newspaper articles and photos, research historic sites, or listen to oral histories of longtime Stow residents. We have innovative, fun programs for area teens such as Lifesize Monopoly and Battle of the Bands. Staff participate in community cleanup programs, events during Stow Pride week in July, including the float in the July 4 parade, and help children learn to read and develop the six pillars of Character Counts, a national organization that promotes trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, citizenship, and caring. We are an essential part of the community!

There are Good Reasons You Need Your Public Library (even if you have never set foot in one)

Information from an article by Margaret Jakubcin, west region manager for Jackson County Library Services, Jackson County, Oregon.

1. Public libraries are good for the economy. Studies have shown that public libraries have an economic impact that greatly exceeds their cost. A healthy library system is indicative of a healthy community. A community without a library is unattractive to businesses and individuals looking to locate to a new area. Stow and Munroe Falls need to attract and retain new businesses to grow and remain healthy communities. 
2. Libraries are a cornerstone of democracy. Free speech, intellectual freedom, and open access to information are essential to a free nation. Public libraries protect the right of every citizen, regardless of race, age, gender, or economic status, to have access to any information that is vital to his/her life. Without libraries, a significant number of Americans would not have access to books or the Internet. Without the library, many residents of Stow and Munroe Falls would not have free access to books or the Internet.
3. Libraries play an important role in helping young children develop reading skills. Early childhood literacy and exposure to a book-rich environment are significant predictors of a child’s success in school and in life. Exceptional children’s programs have always been a Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library tradition, garnering us the Best Big Kid Library in the 2008 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
4. Public libraries provide support to schools and students. As school budgets have continued to dwindle, public libraries have increasingly stepped in to fill the gap, recognizing that today’s students are tomorrow’s workers, leaders, and decision makers. SMFPL offers students and patrons access to online databases where they can take practice tests or look up scholarly articles, and gives them access to KnowItNow24x7, a service where they can get live help from a librarian for finding resources for homework or research on any topic, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
5. Libraries are forward- thinking and play an important role at the cutting edge of information technology. Libraries provide Internet access to many who cannot afford it, or who live in areas where access is unavailable or slow. Librarians are trained to help Internet users weed out irrelevant information, find specialized Internet resources, and determine the reliability, authority and safety of the information retrieved. In addition, American librarians are lobbying to maintain “net neutrality” to ensure that Internet resources remain available to everyone — not just to those who can afford to pay for them. Free computer training on a variety of subjects and at different levels are offered at SMFPL. There is also free wireless internet and computers for public use available.
6. Libraries are repositories of the accumulated understanding of mankind. We live in a time when the information-of-the-moment is constantly at our fingertips, but it is important to remember that information is not knowledge. Libraries house, protect, and share materials which support a thoughtful and in-depth understanding of the world.
7. Public libraries are a bargain. Nearly every service Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library offers is free of charge to cardholders, such as free internet access, free DVD, BluRay, music, and video game rentals, free programs for all age groups, bestsellers, and much more.
8. Libraries provide a neutral community gathering place for the free exchange of ideas, culture, and entertainment. Libraries promote a sense of belonging and interpersonal connection in a society that is increasingly “virtual.”
9. A vital and attractive library helps define a community, encourages civic pride, and invests residents with a sense of ownership.
10. Libraries are the heart and soul of a community and reflect the value residents place on literacy, education, culture, and freedom.