RENEWAL LEVY INFO O
n March 17, 2020 a renewal levy for the MidPointe Library System will be on the ballot. Making up nearly 40% of the Library budget, levy funding is used to maintain services, hours and materials, continue to provide up-to-date technological and digital resources, and sustain programming like the many events featured in this guide. With current funding levels, the MidPointe Library System is able to provide over 197,000 cardholders with a myriad of resources, materials, services, and programming, including: An Available Collection: MidPointe offers a collection of over a half million items, and partnership in the SearchOhio lending consortium gives patrons access to over 16 million items from across the state. In 2018 over 2.2 million items were checked out. The average cost to the owner of a $100,000 home is $23.85 a year (less than the cost of one hardback book).
Diverse Programming: In 2018, MidPointe offered over 5700 programs – you can find a sampling here in this program guide! These are as varied as yoga class and technology instruction for adults, to storytimes (page 2) and early literacy book clubs for children. The Library’s Summer Reading Program, which promotes literacy for all ages, celebrates year-round learning with 12,000 participants annually. Library Access To All: MidPointe’s influence expands well beyond the buildings. Librarians visit childcare facilities and community centers to engage young people in the joy of reading. The Bookmobile makes stops at over 20 different local schools a
month (page 13). Educators are able to stock their classrooms with books as a result of MidPointe’s “Teacher Collections.” The MidPointe Outreach Services Department delivers materials to over 200 patrons who are unable to physically visit the Library due to advanced age or disability.
LEVY FUNDS WILL: Maintain services, hours and materials at all MidPointe locations. Continue to provide up-to-date digital resources to the public. Sustain Library programming for kids, teens and adults.
Sensible Growth: Additionally, levy funding has allowed for needed expansion of services throughout the MidPointe service area. These include: opening new libraries in Monroe and Liberty Township to close two geographical service gaps, renovating an empty building to right-size the MidPointe Library in the City of Trenton, re-introducing Bookmobile service to provide both school and community stops, and launching a makerspace within the footprint of MidPointe Library West Chester to serve as a creative S.T.E.A.M. space for children and a business incubator for adults (page 12). Renewed community support would be carefully used to continue serving the public and maintain MidPointe’s current level of service. Additional information regarding the renewal levy can be found at www.MidPointeLibrary.org.
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