Q: Why is the levy on the ballot now?
A:The library's current five-year operating levy expires at the end of the year -- December 31, 2008. It must be replaced by then, or the library will lose two-thirds of its funding.


Q: Why not wait until November?
A: Because it took two tries for the current levy to pass in 2003, the Board decided to place the levy on the March ballot to give the library the option of trying again in November if necessary. In addition, they did not want this important issue to be overwhelmed by the Presidential election in November. The levy will not go into effect until January 2009.


Q: How much of the library's funding comes from the local operating levy?
A: The levy provides two-thirds of the library's funding.


Q: What is the millage of the levy?
A: Voters will be asked to approve a 2.8-mill operating levy. This includes the 2.5 mills passed in 2003 plus an additional .3 mills. It would become effective in January 2009.


Q: Why an increase?
A: Since 2003, library usage has continued to increase. Users set a new all-time annual circulation record in 2007 by checking out more than 1.5 million items. That's an 18 percent increase since 2003. In addition, the collection size has grown 15 percent since 2005 in order to meet user demands. The additional .3 mills is necessary for the library to continue providing the same level of materials (books, DVDs, magazines, etc.), resources (computers, software, database licenses, etc.) staffing, program support, and operational needs (supplies, utilities, building maintenance, etc.) over the next five years.


Q: How much will the new levy cost homeowners?
A: It will result in a modest increase of just $3.43 per month for each $200,000 of home valuation. To get a more accurate idea of the cost to you, as a homeowner, click here!


Q: What will the community get by passing the levy?
A: Westlake residents will continue to get the same level of excellent service the library now provides if the levy is passed. In addition, with that funding the library will continue to find ways to provide new services and collections.


Q: What if the levy is not passed?
A: If a new levy is not passed by December 31, 2008, the library will lose two-thirds of its funding, which would result in drastic cuts in services and collections. There is no way it could continue to operate at current levels with only 34 percent of its current funding.


Q: Don't I already pay a county library tax?
A: Westlake residents do not pay taxes to support the County library system. Residents in Cuyahoga County pay taxes only to the library of the legal jurisdiction in which they reside. Westlake is not a municipal library, so no City taxes come to the library, either. Nor does the library receive any school funds.


Q: Why not charge people from outside of Westlake who use the library a membership fee?
A: The state provides funding to all libraries through the Library and Local Government support fund (see the box below). Because anyone who pays taxes (income, sales, property, etc.) contributes to this, they have already "paid" to use any public library in Ohio, and all public libraries recognize this principle by providing reciprocal service to each others' residents at no charge.