Find levy facts here.

OLD WORTHINGTON LIBRARY 820 High Street Worthington, OH 43085 NORTHWEST LIBRARY 2280 Hard Road Columbus, OH 43235 WORTHINGTON PARK LIBRARY 1389 Worthington Centre Drive Worthington, OH 43085

worthingtonlibraries.org/levy

LIBRARY FUNDING
How is the Library funded?

Worthington Libraries receives funding from the State of Ohio through the Public Library Fund. This accounts for 19 percent of the librarys annual revenue.
The Library also receives income from fines and fees, the Columbus Metropolitan Library and two local property tax levies. The first levy, passed by voters in the Worthington School District in 1992, is a 22-year 2.2 mill levy. Income from this levy accounts for 22 percent of the librarys annual revenue. It expires in 2014. The second levy, a 2.6 mill permanent operating levy was passed by voters in 2005. Income from this levy accounts for 37 percent of the librarys annual revenue.

LIBRARY FUNDING
2012 Revenue
5% 10% 19% 66%
Funds from Columbus Metropolitan Library Other General Property Tax Levy*

2012 Operating Expenditures

1% 16%
Salaries & Benefits Library Materials Purchased Services

Public Library Fund

20%
62%

Supplies/Other

Total Revenue: $10,282,788

*This figure includes the Homestead Rollback, Personal Property Tax Reimbursement & the Public Utility Fund Reimbursement.

Total Operating Expenditures: $8,447,695

LEVY FUNDING
HOW WELL DOES THE LIBRARY MANAGE MONEY?
Despite significant declines in state funding, the Library has not been on the ballot since 2005. Since that time, library circulation has increased 32 percent and programming attendance has increased 68 percent. The new Homework Help Centers were funded by private donations and the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries. The librarys financial reports are fully transparent and available online.

Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Worthington Libraries was recognized with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for our 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Less than 10 percent of government agencies nationally receive this award.

LEVY SPECIFICS
What is the millage?

What is the cost to homeowners?

It is a 2.2 mill replacement levy that will be collected for a continuing period of time. It replaces the 2.2 mill operating levy passed by Worthington School District residents in 1992.

It will cost the owner of a $100,000 house an additional $3.12 per month or $37.44 per year. Collection will begin in 2015.

LEVY SPECIFICS
WHO CAN VOTE ON THIS LEVY ISSUE?

Registered voters in the Worthington School District, which has the same boundaries as the Worthington library district, can vote on the issue.
This includes residents in the City of Worthington and Riverlea, as well as parts of Sharon Township, Perry Township and the City of Columbus.

LEVY SPECIFICS
WHY IS THIS FUNDING NECESSARY? Funding from this expiring levy provides a significant source of income for Worthington Libraries, comprising 22 percent of our annual revenue.

Because levy collection rates decline over time, it is currently being collected at an effective rate of 1.25 mills.
Replacing this levy at 2.2 mills of current assessed property value will make it possible for the Library to maintain and expand services in order to meet increasing demand.

What will you do if the levy passes?

Funding from the 2.2 mill permanent replacement levy will make it possible for Worthington Libraries to continue providing excellent service and to meet the demands of residents in the areas of technology and digital access.

What will you do if the levy fails?

If the levy fails, we will work with the community to determine what actions to take to best serve residents in the Worthington School District.

LIBRARY USE
Cant people find everything they need online? Do people still use libraries?
You may be surprised.

LIBRARY USE

91,529 people are registered borrowers of Worthington Libraries. Annual user visits to the Library totaled more than 1.6 million in 2012 Annual website visits totaled more than one million
Fun with Math & Science program at Old Worthington Library.

CIRCULATION
We checked out more than 3.3 million items in 2012. Worthington Libraries ranks ninth in the state, behind only the eight metropolitan library systems (which have larger service populations) in total circulation.

DIGITAL BOOKS

In 2012, circulation of digital books increased more than 130 percent!

Thousands of free eBooks and read-along books are available for download from Worthington Libraries. More than 94,000 items are currently available.

LIBRARY USE: COLLECTION

In 2012, Worthington Libraries joined the Central Library Consortium, a partnership of 11 library systems across six counties. As a result, we now provide residents with access to over four million items.

SERVICES: EARLY LITERACY

We help children learn to read.

We provide books, programs and parent information that focus on helping children develop reading skills.

Storytimes were attended by 36,111 children and parents/caregivers in 2012, a five percent increase over 2011.

SERVICES: HOMEWORK HELP

Opened first Homework Help Center in 2008 at the Worthington Park Library.

Visits increased 35 percent in 2012.

Additional centers opened at Old Worthington Library and Northwest Library in early 2013.

A packed house at the Homework Help Center at Worthington Park Library.

SERVICES: JOBS & BUSINESS

Programs for small businesses, job seekers and entrepreneurs.

Access to market research and legal forms. Resume software and free printing. Staff assistance when filling out applications and free resume review.

SERVICES: OUTREACH

In 2012, outreach programs were attended by 14,482 people, an increase of 40 percent! We deliver books and other materials to those who arent able to visit us in person. More than 2,467 items were delivered to people who are homebound in 2012.

SERVICES: OUTREACH

We visit preschools, daycare centers and private schools to present storytimes and talk about library services.

We lead character storytimes at the Shops at Worthington Place once per month.

PROGRAMMING

In 2012, we offered more than 1,600 programs, attended by 61,347 people.

This was a 10 percent increase over 2011.

Programming at Worthington Libraries is sponsored by the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

We have had a strategic plan in place for more than 20 years.

Focusing on two or three years at a time, each plan serves as a detailed roadmap for the future.
Our 2012 strategic planning process was led by a staff team and included input from hundreds of people in the community.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Focus groups with 54 people Survey of 302 residents

Strategic questions posted in the libraries and on social media

Trend tracking

SURVEY FINDINGS

97 percent are satisfied or highly satisfied with the librarys performance.

78 percent believe the Library has the right number of locations to serve the community. 67 percent believe the Library uses its money wisely. 66 percent believe the Library provides the programs and services they need. 83 percent would support a replacement funding levy

STRATEGIC PLANNING RESULTS

Trend Tracking

Our research shows:

The library world is changing rapidly. We must evolve to meet demand for information in various formats. We must provide space for people to use the library in different ways.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Community involvement is part of our organizational culture, and everyone at the Library is encouraged to get involved with other community organizations.
Worthington Libraries staff members are actively involved with more than 100 community and professional organizations.

We make every effort to have library representation at all large community events.
We are privileged to be part of such a caring and giving community.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Key Community Partners

Additional Partners
The Library also partners with several other community organizations and businesses including:
Big Green Head Chipotle Cheryls Cookies City Barbecue Columbus Clippers Columbus Museum of Art Dairy Queen Donatos Healthy Worthington Resource Center & Food Pantry Holiday Inn of Worthington House Wine Igloo Letterpress Leadership Worthington Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center Shops at Worthington Place Skate Zone 71 Sustainable Worthington Worthington AM Rotary Club Worthington Garden Club Worthington Historical Society Worthington Parks & Recreation

Each year, Worthington Libraries partners with the Worthington Schools to present dozens of events and special programs to support and enhance the school curriculum. The Library regularly partners with the City of Worthington and its many agencies in the presentation of programs and events. We work with the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce to provide programs and services targeted to the business and professional community. The Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries serve as sponsor for all library programs and special events.

FIVE-STAR LIBRARY

Each year since 2009, more than 7,500 libraries across the country are evaluated by Library Journal on several service indicators, including financial management. Worthington Libraries is one of only 87 libraries in the country to receive a five-star rating. One of only 30 libraries ranked as five-star every year the index has been published.

Thank you!
Find a great community here.

QUESTIONS?
Board of Trustees

Administrative Staff

James Hill, President

Chuck Gibson, Director/CEO

hill_249@fisher.osu.edu

cgibson@worthingtonlibraries.org

David Goldberger, Vice President Dawn Valasco, Secretary J. Craig Baker John Butterfield Daniel Lacey

Monica Baughman, Deputy Director

mbaughman@worthingtonlibraries.org

Margaret Doone, CFO/Business Manager

mdoone@worthingtonlibraries.org

Lisa Fuller, Director of Community Engagement

lfuller@worthingtonlibraries.org

Linda Mercadante

Susan Allen, Director of Technology Services Phyllis Winfield, Human Resources Manager Pam Beretich, Executive Assistant

Campaign Chairs

Elizabeth Sommer: Elizabeth.Sommer@Huntington.com Lynn Nadler: lynnnadler@gmail.com Rick Bradley: creativityrb@yahoo.com