Dear Editor,

As President of the Board of Trustees of the St. Clairsville Public Library, I am asking the voters of the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District to please vote for the renewal of the St. Clairsville Library levy.

When I am voting for a levy renewal, I want to know how my tax money was used when the levy passed the first time, and if promises made were kept.

Let’s take a look.

One important use of the levy funds was for the update and repair our beautiful, but aging, facility.

In the past four years there have been conversion of lighting to more cost-effective LED, repairs and updates to the heating and air conditioning, repairs to the roof, painting and plastering of the lobby, and maintenance and painting of the parking spaces and back area.

Shelving was added in the lobby to hold the promised additional new books and make them easily accessible when patrons walk in the door.

The budget for books, videos and audiobooks was doubled. Downloadable e-books and movies are now offered, and late fees have been reduced.

Ever-changing and evolving technology benefited with upgraded computer networks and installation of the latest Windows, Office and security software. Copiers were upgraded to print from mobile devices, and Wifi hotspots were added for patrons to borrow. During our first experience with COVID, many students attended their online classes using hotspots borrowed from the library or did homework sitting in our parking lot hooked up to our Wifi. Sending and receiving faxes are now free.

In order to keep the promise of increased hours, some staff were assigned additional time, new staff were hired, and over 400 open hours were added. Access to library resources and services improved for patrons with the addition of programs, presentations and book clubs at senior facilities, as well as connecting with our schools for a variety of activities.

From all of these improvements and even more that weren’t mentioned, you can see that the promises made by the St. Clairsville Public Library for usage of levy funds were promises kept.

This is a RENEWAL. It will remain at the 2017 rate. The cost is still $1.46 a month (or $17.50 a year) for the owner of a $100,000 home. Please support the levy renewal and vote at the polls on November 2, or vote early at the Board of Elections office. You may also vote by mail. Thank you.

Denise Zatezalo

President of the St.

Clairsville Public Library Board of Trustees