To the Editors:

Did you know?

• The Oberlin Public Library has over 150,000 books, 13,000 DVDs, 10,000 audio books and CDs and subscribes to over 250 periodicals.

• There are 9,682 active users of the Public Library. With a service area population of 10,719, that means that over 90 percent of area residents use our public library!

• Based on 2012 and 2013 circulation data, each library user borrows 16 books and 17 films or recordings each year.

• Between the Library and its satellite technology access center, The Bridge, the Public Library provides free computer access over 20,000 times per year.

In these difficult economic times, library use increases as more and more people turn to this invaluable public institution for all manner of resources. The Oberlin Public Library provides all this and more. And, it’s all FREE!

But of course it costs money to provide these services. The Library’s annual operating budget is about $1.35 million. About 56 percent of library revenue comes through local property taxes. With state funding shrinking and uncertain, it is even more important that our service area patrons support their public library.

Issue #34 is a 5-year renewal levy necessary to sustain current operations at the library and at The Bridge. This renewal levy maintains the current taxing rate which costs the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $3.83 per month, just $46 per year.

Our Public Library Vote YES on Issue #34