Asking For Your Vote To Renew Library's Mill Levy

Dear Taxpayers and Residents of Valley County,

We are the board of directors that oversee the Glasgow City County Library and we are writing you today to ask for your vote to renew our operations mill levy this next election.

The current library as we know it was a joint venture between the City of Glasgow and Valley County that was set up in the mid-1960s to fund the newly constructed library building. Its mission was to give everyone access to information, education, and recreation through all forms of literature.

While times have changed, the original building and the funding structure haven't. Costs have steadily increased since its inception and our once new building started to show its age. The problem with governmental budgets is that there is always sections that get more focus that other parts.

When we all get tired of our cars falling into potholes we start talking about roads over books. This is totally natural and the way governance works but budget items that are working get pushed to the side and funded at current levels because there's only much money to go around unless taxes are raised.

In the mid 2000s an operations One (1) mill levy was proposed and passed by the voters for the purpose of increasing the library's budget just enough to keep up with inflation. Besides this extra funding the library has remained much the same as the day it was built.

Though in its 50+ years serving our community many things have changed as to how the library fulfills it mission and what roles it plays. The traditional physical book is now just a part of a community social resource. The library has become a gateway to the online world.

The mission of the library has changed and adapted over the years but the physical building was showing its age. So five years ago the board proposed a One (1) mill increase to the voters for a total of Two (2) mills. The extra money was earmarked towards building improvements and modernization. To pay for those things that a building needs to live another 50+ years. You, the voters, approved of our request and we have put the money to good use.

Some of the bigger projects we have undertaken are:

Replaced the original single pane windows with modern double pane versions. Replaced the upstairs lights with energy efficient LED fixtures.

New carpet and flooring downstairs and throughout most of the upstairs. Painted upstairs and down.

Video surveillance system for staff and patrons' safety.

New high volume flush toilets and handicap compliance sinks and faucets.

Wheelchair lift on the basement stairs.

New front entry and side aprons concrete.

Also, when the State of Montana closed the Glasgow branch of Job Service the library became the place where people come to access the job market. As post high-school learning has moved to more and more online classes the library has become the place where students come and take official exams. Because of this extra demand we had to make investments into the computer and network infrastructure to carry the extra capacity.

We could go on and on as to what we have spent the extra mill money on. The goal has been to use it not on the daily operation of the library but on special improvements to make the library viable for the future. In doing these bigger projects we have actually reduced some of the pressure on the budget which has allowed us to be more effective in our operation. A direct effect is we expanded our daily hours be be open earlier in the morning so patrons can have more access options.

We know the world has changed and this year alone has seen some dramatic upheaval. The board is aware of this uncertainty and while we discussed asking for more in order to implement some of our projects faster we decide to just ask for the renewal of our existing levy. We are used to being on the sidelines and we know taxpayers are feeling the pressure. We feel that we have made great strides and have been good stewards of your money and with your continued support we can continue building towards a modern library that caters to the needs of all our residents.

So please help us on this mission and fill out the bubble that allows the board to authorize the continuation of our library levy. Let's have a library ready for the next 50 years.

Best Regards,

Brenda Tarum – President

Sean R. Heavey - Vice Pres

Janet Markle

Dain Christianson

Pat Knierim