On November 5th, the citizens of Marion will have the opportunity to vote on two measures that will have a tremendous impact on the future of the city's library services. One measure asks voters to increase the library levy and the other asks them to renew the current one cent local option sales tax.
Marion is a growing community whose population is expected to reach 40,000 by 2020; possibly 57,000 in twenty years. This growth challenges the capacity of the current library staff and facility to keep up.
Of the 10 busiest libraries in the state, including those in the cities of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, the Marion Public Library has the highest circulation per person; it ranks fourth in overall circulation in the state.
Among libraries serving cities like Marion, our Library ranks second in circulation, but seventh in staff size and last in building size.
Q: How much is the levy increase?
A: 23 cents, from the current four cents to 27 cents; on a home valued at $100,000 the increase will be $23, which is less than the average price of a hardcover book.
Q: What's it for?
A: The increase will be used for operating expenses, including more staff and materials to maintain our level of personal service, and architectural design for the library renovation.
Q: Why do you need it?
A: In 1996, when the library moved to its current location, it had a staff of 22 and a circulation of 206,000. By 2012, staff size was 28 but circulation was over 900,000. Since 1996, Marion's population has grown by 56%. The population we actually serve, including Cedar Rapids and Linn County residents, increased by 160%.
Q: What is the Local Option Sales Tax vote about and how does it affect the library?
A: The ballot question asks for a 10 year renewal of the current one cent local option sales tax. 70% of the revenue will go toward street, sanitary, and storm sewer improvements. The other 30% will be used for general and essential corporate purpose projects, including the library expansion and renovation.
Q: Won't people just use the new Cedar Rapids library?
A: In the long run, no. People tend to frequent the library they live closest to. As Marion and the greater Cedar Rapids areas grow, more people live closer to us than to the downtown library. People also like the personal customer service offered in Marion. In response to the Marion Citizen Survey in 2011, almost 94% said they were very satisfied or satisfied with the quality of library service.
For more information about the library levy, go to the library's website. For more information about the Local Option Sales Tax go to the City of Marion website.
