New Lenox Library asks voters to help 'redirect' funds on ballot question

The New Lenox Public Library is asking voters to approve an operational tax increase in the upcoming election.

Library officials said if voters approve the request, it wouldn't actually cause a net increase in the taxes they pay to the district.

That's because the library just paid off the debt for its building and essentially wants to "redirect" that tax revenue to go toward increasing services residents have been asking for.

"We're running on a very streamlined staff," said Michelle Krooswyk, the library's director. "We're at the cap of the programming we could do. My staff are asking me to do more. I want to do more, but I've had to say no to a lot of things because I don't want us to go in the red."

The library building was constructed in 2001 and has been operating on the tax rate used for its previous building which, Krooswyk said, was about one-fifth the size.

Krooswyk said the library has not had a voter-approved operational tax rate increase since 1946.

She added if voters approve the increase, the library would be able to open on Sundays and extend its weekend hours.

The staff would be able to expand and improve its services focusing on early literacy and seniors. It would also be able to increase homebound delivery to serve more residents who are physically limited from visiting the library.

Krooswyk detailed a number of building improvements she'd like to see the library invest in over the next few years, including its heating and cooling system, carpets and parking lot. She said an assessment by the library showed its building will require around $5.4 million in repairs over the next decade.

With an operating tax rate increase, Krooswyk said, the library would use the approximately $957,000 a year it collected to pay for its building to go toward its operating expenses. She said about $540,000 of that would be earmarked for building maintenance.

If voters reject the increase, Krooswyk said, hours would need to be reduced over the next three to five years and maintenance on the building would be limited to an as-needed basis.

Linda Evans, a longtime member on the library's board of trustees, said she's frequently heard from residents about wanting the library to expand its hours and services. That's why she feels redirecting the revenue is important.

"We need this for our town," she said. "We need to keep it going."

For more information about the library or the ballot question, visit newlenoxlibrary.og/vote. The Illinois primary election is March 17.