Skip to main content
close
font 1 font 2 font 3
Reset to standard size
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Yellow on Black White on Black Soft Greys Black on Linen Black on White
Reset to default contrast
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Investing in the Library = Investing in your Community

Reed Memorial Library has a renewal levy on the May 5, 2026 ballot. This is a renewal levy and does not increase taxes. 

graphic outlining the information about the library renewal levy. The issue on the May 5 ballot is a renewal levy, Levy funds make up 42% of the library's budget and the average cots to the owner of a $100,000 home is less than the cost of 2 hardback books. Levy funds will maintain services and materials at the library, continue to provide up-to-date digital resources to the public, and sustain library programming for kids, teens, and adults. This is not a new tax
  • The issue on the May 5 ballot is a renewal levy
  • Levy funds make up 42% of the library's budget
  • The average cost to the owner of a $100,000 home is less than the cost of 2 hardback books
Levy funds will
  • Maintain services and materials at the library
  • Continue to provide up-to-date digital resources to the public
  • Sustain library programming for kids, teens, and adults.

This is not a new tax

pie chart illustrating library revenue of 42% local levy, 49% public library fund, 8%other revenue, 1% fines 

The Library is funded from three main sources

Source #1 – 5-year Operating Levy

  • The operating levy on the May, 2026 was originally passed in 2011 and renewed in 2020. It is a 5-year 1.5 mill levy and is essential to providing the level of services, materials and staff for our community.
  • The levy is based on 2011 home assessments by the Portage County Auditor
  • Currently, the cost to a local homeowner is $28 for every $100,000 of assessed value

Source #2 – Public Library Fund (48% of operating budget)

  • The Public Library Fund is funding that we receive through the State of Ohio’s biennial budget allocation to public libraries.  Because of recent cuts to state funding, Reed Memorial Library lost just over $200,000 annually. These cuts make this levy renewal especially important.
  • Additionally, we have been warned that the state will likely continue to cut library funding.
  • Each County in the State of Ohio has an agreed upon formula to distribute the state funds to the library systems operating within the county. In the case of Portage County, it is the following:
    • Kent Free Library – 29.67%
    • Portage County District Library – 46.67%
    • Reed Memorial Library – 19.67%
    • Portage Library Consortium – 3.99%

Source #3 – 30-year Levy (24% of operating budget)

  • The third source is a 30-year operating levy that was passed in 2004 to renovate and build the current library structure.

Additional Sources – Fines, Fees and Grants (5% of operating budget)

  • The Library receives some revenue from fines, awarded grants and services we provide to the community like passport processing, printing and faxing. Combined, these amounts make up approximately 5% of our total annual revenue.

LEVY FAQ

Who pays for promoting this levy? (Is the library using my money to raise funds for itself?)

No, all promotional costs for this ballot issue are paid for by the Reed Memorial Library-Community Starts Here Political Action Committee, a group of volunteers who advocate on behalf of our library.

 What does the library use the operating levy money for?

This money goes into the general operating revenue and is used to provide all the services, staff, and materials that the library has to offer.

 How much does this levy cost me annually?

The cost to a taxpayer with a home valued at $100,000 is about $28. 

Will there be yard signs available for patrons interested in supporting the levy?

We will have a few yard signs to hand out but the PAC is focusing on a few large banners, mailed postcards and small posters.

Libraries are best known for lending books and other media but your library does so much more. 

School readiness and early childhood literacy is a fundamental component of our programs and a core service to families. Through programs with preschools and the Ravenna school system, the library supports literacy, provides technology tools and programs, and is an invaluable partner in learning.

We provide free high-speed internet access, public computers, training and software classes and tutorials for both educational and job training needs. We partner with community organizations to help with the opioid crisis with programs and awareness campaigns. During economic hardship, our citizens turn to and depend on the library.

The library also provides many options for people who are looking for work, trying to train for a new career or want to remain relevant in the career they already have. Our community's economy benefits when small business owners can use library resources to make wise business decisions, do printing, scanning, and faxing to support their business. We make our meeting rooms and technology tools available to community groups and small businesses to use for training, workshops, events and more.

Even at its most basic service, lending materials, the library gives you much more than you invest. Here are typical costs for comparison:

  • 2 DVDs - $40
  • 3 Books - $65
  • Annual Amazon Prime Membership - $139
  • Annual Audible Membership - $180
  • Annual Netflix Subscription - $216
  • Average Annual Cable Subscription - $1,200

FUNDING UPDATES