Why This Levy Matters:
Stark Library is funded through locally approved property taxes, the Ohio Public Library Fund (PLF), investment income, and grants/donations/fees.
The Operational Levy this November includes a modest adjustment to maintain current services – not an expansion. Cost of materials, salaries and benefits for staff, security services, property insurance, and vehicle repairs/maintenance have all increased significantly. Our state funding has also been reduced by $350,000 per year.
Details of Levy:
- A renewal of 2 mills and an increase of 0.3 mill
- $55 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value a year
- $11 increase from 2019 levy
- $4.58 a month
- 8 years
What this Levy supports:
- Early Literacy and School Readiness
- Access to Library Materials
- Technology Access
- Computers, Wi-Fi, Printing, Scanning, Faxing
- Local Workforce Job Help
- Daily Services people rely on
- Open Hours, Staff, Meeting Rooms, Study Rooms
- Maintenance and care of recent building improvements
The Operating Levy ensures we can provide services our community already uses in all locations across our service area as costs continue to rise, and our state funding is reduced.
Our locations include Main Library, Dehoff Memorial Branch, East Canton Branch, Jackson Community Branch, Lake Community Branch, Madge Youtz Branch, North Branch, Perry Sippo Branch, Pike Township Lockers, Plain Community Branch, Southgate Branch and our Mobile Services (Bookmobiles) that visit locations all across Stark County.
If the Levy does not pass:
If the levy does not pass, Stark Library will need to make the following reductions
- Reduced Library hours
- Fewer programs, services and materials
- Reduced access to public computers and technology
Our Impact on Stark County:
Children’s Programming/Events
Supporting Children, Students, and Families in Stark County
- Storytimes saw over 14,600 participants in 2025, including pre-school aged children and their parents, grandparents, or caretakers
- We welcomed over 42,000 people to our programs/events
- Our Bookmobiles participated in 246 community programs and events in 2025, with almost 15,000 participants
Early Literacy
Serving as a Trusted Community Anchor
- As a Dolly Parton Imagination Library program partner, we mailed 162,850 free books to 13,564 children across Stark County in 2025
- Each month, Bookmobile visits 5,000 children across 65 local Schools and Daycares
- Bookmobile visits 20 Stark County neighborhoods per month, bringing books, free Wi-Fi, DVDs, Hotspots and more to the patrons that need it most
Books and Digital Materials
Delivering Practical Everyday Services
- Almost 61,000 cardholders
- Our physical Collection houses almost 1.8 million items and our digital + physical circulation was just under 2.7 million in 2025
- We saw over 633,000 people walk through our doors in 2025
Computer and Wi-Fi Access
Bridging the Digital Divide
- Bridging the Digital Divide with free access to public computers, Wi-Fi in all of our locations, Wi-Fi Hotspots for families and students who may not have internet access at home
- Business services saw users print over 168,000 pages, utilized over 77,000 on-site computer sessions, and saw usage of almost 251,000 Wi-Fi sessions
- Bookmobiles have free Wi-Fi for visiting patrons – taking Wi-Fi access out into the community
Technology Help for Seniors and Job Seekers
Strengthening the Workforce and Local Economy
- Access to computers, business services, Tech Training classes & one-on-ones
- Community members booked our meeting and study rooms over 10,300 times in 2025
- Library staff had personalized one-on-one sessions for almost 16,000 community members
You can download a pdf of our Informational Levy Flyer by clicking button below.
Local News Coverage:
Stark Library seeks levy renewal increase
Stark Library renewal and increase levy placed on ballot
Stark Library seeks levy renewal increase
Stark Library renewal and increase levy placed on ballot
For every $1.00 invested in Stark Library, the total economic benefit to the community is $2.08.
- Ohio Library Council's Library ROI Calculator
Levy FAQs:
GENERAL
How much does a library levy cost me?
Answer: The levy includes a 2-mill renewal and a 0.3 mill increase, which amounts to $55 per year for every $100,000 of the county auditor's market value. You can calculate your specific property tax impact using your local county auditor’s online tools, such as the Stark County Auditor website.
What % of my property taxes goes toward the library levy?
Answer: You can search the Stark County Auditor website to find out the total percentage for your property. The Ohio Library Council estimates that 2.5% of property taxes go to public libraries each year.
Is the Levy for building the new Main Library?
Answer: There will not be a specific levy ask, nor increase due to this project. Our Re|imagine 2.0 Main Library Campus project is being funded through both Capital Savings and Ohio's Public Library Fund (PLF). We were able to save our dollars to cover 95% of the projects' total cost, and are raising the remaining 5% through private donations. Learn more about how our Re|imagine Main Library Campus project is being funded HERE.
Where can I learn more about the Public Library Fund (PLF)?
Answer: Visit Ohio Library Council’s FAQs on the Public Library Fund HERE.
Why aren’t all libraries in Stark County part of your district? Why don’t you all consolidate to save money?
Answer: Stark County’s seven independent libraries are separate because Ohio is legally structured as a 'local control' state. Every library system in our county was built independently to deliver services at the local level based on the needs of its local community.
Libraries in Ohio are political subdivisions, and they are fiscally independent from city and county government. Each library is governed by its own Board of Trustees. Libraries respond directly to the needs and demands of their local communities and allow voters to have a voice when it comes to local library services. Any changes to that funding structure could significantly impact the services provided locally as well as local control in each community.
Libraries serve as a critical resource for young people, students, families, adults, seniors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Libraries do this while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and sharing resources beyond boundaries through joint purchasing, as well as participating in consortia and pooling programs. Shared services and resources, such as SearchOhio and the Ohio Digital Library, provide significant cost savings and efficiencies.
VOTING
When is the General election for Stark County?
Answer: Stark County’s General election will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. Learn more about voter information and upcoming election deadlines HERE.
Who is in Stark Library’s District?
Answer: To see if your property is located within the Stark Library District, please click HERE.
How do I register to vote?
Answer: You can register to vote online on the Ohio Secretary of State website, or in-person at any Stark Library location. Learn more about voter information and upcoming election deadlines HERE.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
Answer: October 5, 2026 is the deadline to register to vote in the general election on November 3, 2026. Learn more about voter information and upcoming election deadlines HERE.
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