CANTON ‒ Stark Library wants to put a levy renewal and increase on the November ballot amid a reduction in state funding and increased operational costs. The library district plans to ask voters for 2-mill renewal and 0.3-mill increase, which would last eight years. Stark Library CEO and Executive Director Mary Ellen Icaza said the levy is needed to ensure the library system has a balanced budget and can provide the same programs, materials and hours moving forward. "We're really looking to keep the level of services going that we are providing," she said.
The library's current eight-year, 2-mill levy was approved in 2019 and will expire in 2027. If approved, the 2-mill renewal and 0.3-mill increase would cost homeowners $55 for every $100,000 of their property's assessed value, which is an $11 annual increase compared to the current levy. The new levy would generate nearly $15 million per year, which is an increase of about $2.7 million from the current levy. If the levy does not pass, Icaza said there would need to be major changes to services and operations that could include reduced library hours, fewer programs, staff reductions and potential consolidation of services.
Reduction in state funding and increased costs
About 56% of Stark Library's operating revenue comes from property taxes, and about 41% is from the state's Public Library Fund. Just 2% comes from investment income and 1% comes from grants, donations and fees. Previously, the Public Library Fund received a set percentage of the revenue from the state's General Revenue Fund, which mostly comes from sales and income taxes. That money was then divided among Ohio's 88 counties using a formula.
Last year, library funding was changed to a line-item appropriation on the state budget, which reduced public library funding by about $25 million from 2025 to 2026. "For us in Stark County, and all of the other public libraries, it means less predictable and reduced state funding," Icaza said. "For us, it's about $350,000 less a year."
At the same time, operational costs have increased. Since the last Stark Library levy passed in 2019, cumulative inflation has increased by about 27%. The majority of the library system's expenses go toward salaries and benefits. Stark Library has 193 employees. Employees who work over 20 hours per week are eligible for benefits.
Icaza said the cost of health care is one of the expenses that has increased the most. Materials costs have also increased dramatically from 2019 to today, particularly for ebooks and audiobooks that have become more popular. "Publishers have a very different pricing model for libraries ... and they put a lot of restrictions on libraries in terms of usage and on cost," Icaza said. Costs for security services, vehicle repairs and maintenance, and property insurance are also rising.
New levy not funding construction projects
Stark Library has 10 locations across Stark County. There were 633,770 visits to its library locations last year. The library system is building a new Main Library in downtown Canton. It's a $54 million project, including construction and architectural design. Icaza said levy funds will not be used for the construction project, which is funded from other sources. "We have arranged for separate funding of the Main Library," she said. The project is being paid for from the library's capital fund and borrowing from the state's Public Library Fund.
The library has also recently completed renovations at its branches and opened a new branch library in Jackson Township. It also opened a new Operations Center in downtown Canton which houses several library departments and services all 10 library locations. Construction of the new Main Library is the last major capital project for the time being, Icaza said. Building maintenance will be the only ongoing cost. "We don't foresee any new builds or new locations," she said. The county commissioners must vote to place the levy request on the November ballot. County Administrator Brant Luther said it is expected to be up for a vote within the next few weeks.