Levy on May ballot for Westlake Porter Public Library

On May 2 Westlake voters will be asked to approve a 2.8 mill operating levy renewal and an additional 0.6 mills for Westlake Porter Public Library. The current levy, which provides 70% of the library’s operating funds, expires at the end of the year. Passage will ensure library funding for the five-year period of Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2028. The current operating levy millage has been in place for 15 years.

Currently the levy is the library’s primary source of operating funds, providing materials (books, magazines, digital/downloadable/streaming materials), resources (computers, software, digital databases, etc.), staffing, program support, supplies, and building operations (maintenance and utilities). The other major source of funding is the state’s Public Library Fund (PLF).

In the five years since the current levy was passed, the library has begun offering new collections, such as the World Languages and Non-Traditional Materials collections, and significantly expanded its digital collection. The library constructed the Artwalk to connect to the Westlake Elementary School, added a Makerspace with state-of-the-art equipment, created the Friends Outdoor Programming Pavilion, and completed a renovation in our Adult Services Department that included the addition of two small group study rooms and renovation of three existing study rooms. The upcoming levy will allow the library to continue to offer these services.

Westlake Porter Public Library is an independent library serving the community of Westlake. It was founded in 1884 through a bequest by Leonard G. Porter.

Elaine Willis

Elaine Willis is the Public Relations Associate at Westlake Porter Public Library.

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Volume 15, Issue 5, Posted 10:16 AM, 03.21.2023