Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The additional levy passed by less than one percent
"That was a tight one," Mentor Public Library Executive Director Lynn Hawkins said after voters passed the library branch's 2-mill additional levy. "But we're grateful, nonetheless." Unofficial results show the levy passed by a slim margin of 71 votes -- 6,064 to 5,993 -- or 0.59 percent. "I would like to thank everyone who supported the library with their vote," Hawkins said. "We've made great strides to offer improved services since the 2008 levy and we're glad we won't have to take strides backward." The library previously said it will revoke its current 1.1-mill levy that was approved in 2008 if the new one is approved. That means the new levy is basically a replacement for the current levy, though it’s not a replacement levy. The new …
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The levy would replace a current 1.1 mill levy, if approved
- ELECTIONS
- Jason Lea
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Mentor Public Library Board of Trustees voted to place a 2-mill additional levy on the March ballot. If approved, the library said it would revoke its current 1.1-mill levy that was aproved in 2008. That means the new levy would effectively replace the current levy, though it’s not a replacement levy. The new levy would produce $3.6 million for the library system, which is $1.7 million more than the current levy, said Library Fiscal Officer Colleen Snyder. The new levy would cost property owners an additional $28 annually per $100,000 valuation. The levy currently costs property owners $33 per $100,000 valuation. Part of the additional $1.7 million the library would receive would compensate for the $500,000 cut in state funding the library…
Friday, July 1, 2011
Library will not be cutting services or staff as a result of state funding cuts
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Jason Lea
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Friday, July 1, 2011
Mentor Public Library will not be cutting any of its staff or services as a result of state budget cuts, Executive Director Lynn Hawkins said. The library's board had expected a 15 percent cut in state funding, so they were ready when Gov. John Kasich suggested cutting 5 percent – which represents about $75,000 for Mentor Public Library – this year and another 5 percent in 2013. However, Hawkins added that the library system will likely be approaching the proverbial red by the end of 2013. In the meantime, she said the library was able to offer more services with fewer dollars by embracing technology. "That's helped us with the budget because we haven't had to increase staff along with increasing services," she said. Some of the library's…
Monday, June 20, 2011
Callender said he needed to focus his energy on his upcoming run for state Senate
Jamie Callender said he is resigning from the Mentor Public Library Board of Trustees so he can focus on his candidacy for the Ohio Senate, which he announced earlier this month. "The Board deserves a full-time member and I cannot do that along with my campaign," he said. Callender has been on the board for two years and had nothing but praise for the library, his fellow board members and its executive director, Lynn Hawkins. "It's an excellent organization and I'm proud to be affiliated with it," he said. Similarly, when asked for comment, Hawkins praised Callender's support for the library. "We were lucky to have him on our Technology and Asset Renewal Committee these past two years," she said. "Jamie was instrumental in our moving to …
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lynn Hawkins, the executive director of the Mentor Public Library, discusses how they prepared for even more than the proposed budget cut
This week on "You Said It," we're seeing how Ohio Gov. John Kasich's proposed state budget would affect local entities likes Mentor schools, libraries and the city government. Today, Mentor Public Library Executive Director Lynn Hawkins talks about how the library actually braced for even deeper cuts than what was proposed. Come back all week for more answers.
Curly Joe
7:58 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Indeed. Why anyone voted NO to a library fund is beyond me. And if you tell me it's because you don't use the library then something tells me you need a lesson about keeping a city strong. Thanks to those that voted YES! more ›