Not a new tax? What

As much as I hate it, I have to vote for the levy! Libraries are so important...

Since this is a replacement levy I understand that it is the same amount of mills or NOT any increase as the reporter incorrectly wrote in this article. I think it is great that the library does so much for so little. I admit I did't know how much of my real estate tax went to the libary so I looked at my tax bill on the Summit County Fiscal web site. I have a nice house and the appraised value is likely above the county average. When I did the math it came out to be less than $3 per person per month. I did the same for my parents who are retired and on a fixed budget and for them-just over $2/month. My parents enjoy reading and without the library they simply would not have the financial means to purchase the books they borrow from the library. You have my vote in May.

For those undecided on the levy, just drive by the Highland Square Library, and gaze upon the $10,000 frog the library bought, and then ask yourself if they really deserve additional money.

This levy ISNT about a frog. (Artwork is often donated or purchased with money given to institutions after a person passes.)
This levy is about keeping our GREAT libaries opened. I have friends who need their jobs at the libary to help them pay for their college. I have a neighbor who works at the library and without her job could not pay her house payment. Without passing this levy they could loose their jobs.
I use the library to borrow books I could otherwise not afford to read. I use the library to do research on topics I am studying for my classes at school.
Most people spend more on a drink with their meal @ a restaurant every month than it costs to support this levy.

no

This and any levy's for the Metro parks will be the only ones I vote for.

===============
The levy is not a new tax, (Library Director David Jennings) added.
===============

REALLY???

According to the story, "If approved by voters, the levy would raise... about $700,000 more than the current one."

AND

"The existing levy... expires at the end of this year"

The library district didn't ask for a PERMANENT levy 5 years ago, it asked for one with a fixed length (which ends this year).

Any claim that this REPLACEMENT levy isn't a "new tax" is either seriously confused or a liar.

Either way, I don't support those who try to mislead the voters.

BAD DAVID JENNINGS! No NEW tax money for you!

@ Beth.
You are confusing a replacement levy with a renewal levy. A replacement levy can raise additional money because it collects on current market property values. As opposed to the current levy, which is collecting on old values. A renewal levy does not collect additional money. The story is accurate.

My college math professor is just shaking his head at Mr Overtaxed Voter's comment. He suggests you become educated on the facts and how to do math since it is obvious that it is you that has it wrong. He is suggesting that you call Mr Jennings to set up a time to meet to help you understand the levy and why the library is so important to Akron/Summit County....Our entire class is applauding!

UofAGirl - Remind your professor of an age old adage - Those who can, do - Those who can't, teach -

With many people having internet access in their homes, and the recent technology of downloadable books, I can't see how the 'demand for library services' is higher than ever before. Maybe if they started charging fees for internet use, videos 'rentals', and other non book related services they provide, they wouldn't have to hit the homeowners up for more money. An annual fee for a library card for those 18 and over, would also generate revenue. Where is it written that libraries must offer free services?

I am all for libraries and such, but how is it raising $700,000 more since everyone has lost 20% of their homes value in the last 3 or 4 years?

Bonas,
NO, YOU are incorrect and if you don't believe me then I suggest you contact the Summit County Fiscal office/John A. Donofrio for a refresher course on levy information, definitions, calculations,etc.
I admit it is confusing but a 1.4 mill levy is 1.4 mills whether is be in 2010 or 1.4 mills last year or 5 years ago. Replacement means the SAME amount of mills. IT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR HOMETHAT MAY CHANGE. And yes, because of the changed values of our homes from years ago it will collect more money in the future for the library. For some like me, the value of my home was valued as the same (it did not change). I will pay the SAME with this levy as I am now. For some the value of their houses went down (they will pay less), and for some the appraised value has gone up (hense for those homeowners-yes they will pay some more)
It would help all of us voters to be better informed about this topic as there will be more levies in our future as the State of Ohio continues to cut funding to our local institutions and goverment.

YES! Even if the guy turns out to be a liar or just a bad expression of words, the libraries are an important resource as the MaD avatar hs pointed out.

@ UAkronGirl - If your education was better, you'd have known that the frog was neither donated, nor were special funds raised to purchase it.

Stumping for the library levy is fine, but at least get your facts straight.

@ Zapdog - I like the library card fee idea. Very good suggestion.

As UAkronGirl has suggested: "Most people who use the library, spend more on a drink with their meal @ a restaurant every month than it costs to support this levy"

LOL I drove past that library once it looks more like a bus station than a library.

jimdandy478
akron, oh

Posted 10:49 AM, 02/09/2010
@ Zapdog - I like the library card fee idea. Very good suggestion.

The people who need the library most could probably not afford a fee. The motto FREE TO ALL precludes having a fee. You pay fines if you return your materials late, but public libraries are, and should remain, free.

Statistics show that as the economy has worsened library use increases. Many families have had to give up interent access at home, cable TV, and other "extras". They use the internet at the library and borrow movies, music and books. For what you can get for a few dollars a month in taxes - the library is a bargain!

I wonder when the most vocal critics last used their public libraries.

jmoore
akron, oh

Posted 11:11 AM, 02/09/2010
The people who need the library most could probably not afford a fee. The motto FREE TO ALL precludes having a fee....

Jmoore - Free BOOKS is all well and good. But all the other services offered by the library should have a nominal fee attached. No one has the right to free internet access, free movie rentals, etc.

I just wonder how many supporting this levy are actual property owners? I already pay an illegal, unconstitutional school tax on my property (ref: Ohio Supreme Courts decisions) that also benefits non-property owners. Another way to fund the library would be a simple 0.25 sales tax across the board. Then everyone pays a fair share, not just those with property. It is time we end selective taxation.

ps - for those who are complaining some just can't afford internet access in their home - take away their cell phones and drugs, and I bet they could...

Another thing JMoore - your statement " those who need the library most probably cannot afford a fee" .. I am sure they bought a cup of coffee on their way... paid for the gasoline in their cars or the bus fee for public transportation. If they need the library so bad, they can afford it, they just choose to spend money on something else. The library is not part of the welfare system. It is supposed to be self sustaining.

Lets find out how much the administrators working for the library earn.

Everybody...admit that you laughed when you saw Mad2's comment while strolling down.

Perhaps the library need to raise their fees, and reduce waste.

@Zapdog

Not trying to be too argumentative here, but I'm wondering what difference you see in borrowing a book vs borrowing other types of materials from the library.

Two things come to mind.

If one can borrow a book to read for entertainment why shouldn't one be able to borrow a movie on DVD for entertainment? Public libraries provide material to users for research, general information and entertainment. Why does the format of the material matter so much?

What if a book is available on another format such as tape, playaway, CD, or interactive DVD? Is it still not a book? How about electronic books? In that case content can be delivered over the Internet or with an reading device. Still a book. Just a different format.

Zapdog,

I'm a property owner and I'm in favor of this, and will vote for it. And I haven't used the library in many years.

Free public libraries are important resources for many individuals in the community. Unlike you and many other hearless people I care about the community. I used the libraries when I was a kid, and I'd like them to be there for current and future generations that need them.

An example, based on the recent school funding article and how levies work:

Let's say that the 1.4 mill levy passes in May. Based on the current property valuations, this will bring in X million dollars/year. For the next 5 years, this levy will bring in X million dollars/year, regardless of future property valuations.

The levy is actually establishing a $/year level, not a yearly percentage level. I've never understood why they word these things this way; if you state it as a percentage, that's what it should be, just like a sales tax.

JustaGirl - If you can afford an ebook reader or a dvd player, you can afford to pay the rental fees. That was just absurd. Books for educational purposes vs books for entertainment is apples and oranges. I guess we should give free game rentals to those who can afford a PS3 or XBox too.

Steve - you do what you wish, as I will vote against it, so our votes will just cancel each other out. But since my wife will vote against it, as well as my other family members, we have better odds. And, I am not cold hearted, as you so liberally accused me of. I agree we need libraries, but I do not agree that only property owners should support them. If you want public support, then do it through a sales tax, not a selective tax. If those who need to use them cannot afford a nominal fee for use OTHER THAN book rentals, then they need to come up with a different way. Maybe if you receive government benefits, you can be exempt from fees, or volunteer time at the library to offset the costs, rather than sit at home and collect a check, not working, yet complaining you want more free stuff.

I just got my tax bill in the mail yesterday. I am being nickled and dimed to death by these levies, as are many hard working people trying to get by. I am glad you are so wealthy that it does not have an affect on you. Maybe you should give an endowment to the libraries out of your pocket.

I believe in Libraries: but these are goverment/county workers that can start drawing pensions off the tax payers at 70-90% of their pay:
and they might be 50-55 years old:

Now social security is all the private tax payers get: and ss this year is paying out more than it brings in, so I have to pay for that plus state pension short falls plus city and federal workers:

Who's going to pay for the private person to retire?

ZapDog: I do not own my home, but pay rent to the man who does and he pays the property tax out of my rent. Whether you own or rent you still pay the property taxes.

Sorry - not in this economy. The city and county organizations got greedy the last few years, and the voters got stupid. I'll be voting no for every levy, no matter what the organization is.

Zapdog,

I am not wealthy, just think that the small amount going to the library is worth it. I've been paying that already, and do not mind continuing to pay it.

As to your comment about "only property owners paying" we all know that people with rental property structure their rent to cover all the expenses including real estate taxes. Or at least those who don't want to go broke.

Libraries offer so much. The naysayers obviously have not used the library to see what it has to offer. As for 'going to the Employment Services office on Tallmadge Ave for free internet service for the unemployed for applying and job hunting; not everyone has the transportation or time to go there. A neighborhood library fills that need. You can take your child to story time, and fill out your unemployment. And, some states have eliminated paper tax forms. Once again, if you do not have a computer or are not computer-literate, the library offers these services to help you. Along with the variety of books offered, this is little to pay for such a great resource.

I'm voting yes. The motivated need a place to learn, especially since they can't do that in their schools for various reasons. Thugs and OEA (difference?), I'm looking at you.

@ jimdandy478- What is your educational background?
Have you not taken your children to the library?
Or your grandchildren? Have you not read with your children or grandchildren at naptime or bedtime. These are some of my great memories.
If you read my comment re: artwork correctly, my comment was a general statement hence the general term and parenthesis. Also quotations are for quotes and you changed my statement.
You can disagree with any tax supported organization from displaying art but there are many (I know not all) DONATED pieces of artwork at the library...that IS a fact...if you utilized the library you would be better informed.

Those living in Section 8 or AMHA housing contribute nothing to the taxes be charged. Renters claiming that they pay the taxes through their rent, have a point, but still, unless every time a levy passes, your rent is increased, you do not feel it. In the case of Section 8, the owner is only allowed to receive the amount given by the Section 8 guidelines. That owner is not allowed to increase the rent to compensate for the loss of income due to levies.

JustaGirl - If you can afford an ebook reader or a dvd player, you can afford to pay the rental fees. That was just absurd. Books for educational purposes vs books for entertainment is apples and oranges. I guess we should give free game rentals to those who can afford a PS3 or XBox too.

Not as absurd as you think.

1. I'll add that if one could afford an e-book reader more than likely they would just download a book on their own reader. But some libraries are lending e-book readers. For example, there is a public library lending Kindles preloaded with 10 current best sellers and a dictionary. If a book happens to be loaded on a reading device it's still a book. Honestly I think it's absurd to still think in this day and age that a book can only exist in print format.

2. I don't think we should make the assumption that if someone is able to afford a DVD player they can afford rental fees. DVDs are dirt cheap. They can be handed down or given to family or friends. Or maybe someone was able to afford to buy it at one time, but due to downsizing or layout they find rentals aren't as affordable as they used to be.

3. Re: Books for educational purposes vs books for entertainment is apples and oranges. I'm trying to figure out why you are so hung up books being the only thing a library has to offer. I was thinking perhaps you were thinking of DVD's as a form of entertainment and thus the books for educational purposes vs entertainment.

4. Some public libraries do lend video games. I'd guess most people that have gaming systems would probably just continue to buy or rent their own games, especially since the waiting lists would probably be long. I'm not advocating for it though. I could definitely see better uses for money than video games. But then again, I am not a gamer.

Lets address your answer one by one.

(1) - Where is it written that I mus pay for the library to loan you an ebook reader? Is there something wrong with paperbacks that makes it my responsibility to provide someone else with new technology?

(2) - Rental fees are dirt cheap too. They can be as low as 1.00. Why cant you stop buying that 3.00 crappacino or that 5.00 rock of crack if a book to read or movie to watch is so important to your life?

(3) YOU stated people read books for entertainment. Books for education have direct affect on the person's contribution to a better society. Why should I be force to pay for your entertainment? Are you going to buy my concert tickets?

(4) - The only thing you have said today regarding this issue that makes sense.

how much does mr jennings make each year? how much do his fringe benefits cost?

tell the public these things and they can vote with some background information.

does anyone know these answers? if so, please post it here.

tell me the salary paid to jennings each year and how much his fringe benefits cost and then i can vote with good information

zapdog...i pay almost $1700 a year in property tax...i'm currently trying to get disability.....the house is paid off....an i'm not starving to death....an i'll vote for the tax...so will my wife and both of my parents.....i went to the main library couple months ago to find out about the time capsule that was burried there in 1976...they let me into the special collections branch and showed me what was left of the remains....because it was damaged after it was burried and most of the things in it were destroyed
...when my grandfather was alive he led the "great books" discussions at the goodyear branch ....he died in 1977... and i like just sitting there sometimes.... even tho its a new building....with a weird stained glass window.....i'd be willing to pay another $1000 a year to keep it open.

Got my increased water and sewer bill today. They can thank the city of akron, because I am voting no!

Grog - We can tell by your pic that you aren't missing any meals. What is odd, is that no one can comprehend anything I have posted. I have never said that the libraries are not important to our community. I have merely stated that their needs to be a better way of supporting them other than a levy on property owners backs. The days of free libraries, which by the way, were established to loan BOOKS, just are not sustainable anymore. They have added so many other services that they need to start charging a NOMINAL fee for said extra services. Especially when you have nice buildings like the one on 261 that was constantly vandalized by its own community members.

Zapdog

A self-supporting public library ???
Actually charging for additional services ???

TOTAL MADNESS!!! We could never do something like that when so many have become used to the entitlement of using it as their free computer service and video store.

Current: $43/yr (per $100k)
Add'l: $2.70/yr ("")

Is this really a big deal? Doesn't an ignorant society cost a lot more than $4 a month? Doesn't too much idle time for kids lead to costs of more than $4 a month?

$4
$4
$4
$4
$4
$4
$4
$4
$4
$4
$4

============
UAkronGirl whined...

My college math professor is just shaking his head at Mr Overtaxed Voter's comment. He suggests you become educated on the facts and how to do math since it is obvious that it is you that has it wrong.
============

Perhaps if YOU were a bit more educated on the facts YOU would be able to confront your obviously confused college math professor who can't understand the basic premised that...

The CURRENT levy ends at the end of 2010, meaning taxpayers will pay ZERO DOLLARS beginning 1/1/2011.

This NEW, REPLACEMENT LEVY restarts the process and INCREASES the level of taxation to something that is higher than the current one which ends its 5 year run on 12/31/2010.

Libraries are important but why tear down perfectly good buildings and rebuild? Why is this country feel all is so disposable? I won't vote for this time...........

the library primary business is dvd for movies:
mean while blockbuster and other movie places
going out business, the goverment should stop competing with private business.

also the people working there need to give up some benefits to come in line with the private sector.

Nobody in the private sector retires at 48 on 72%
their pay.

Jason- I guess you are right. We should let them take $4 here, and $4 there, until our paycheck is only $4. There has to be a time to say STOP! Public libraries are not the only answer to an educated society. If children and parents would take their school work seriously, we would have an educated society. Also, every public school has a library for the students. They just dont loan out free internet service and dvd's for use. And yes, you are correct again, in that is it my responsibility to keep your child's idle hands out of trouble, not your. We just cannot put that kind of burden on a parent.

OTV - As I told UofA girl to remind her professor - Those that Can, do.. Those that Can't, teach. I didn't invent that adage...

ProblemChild - You forgot the sarcasm disclaimer.

Zap,

It's $4. It's for a library system. Not sure if I mentioned that yet.

It's not just for kids. Adults use libraries as well.

Mmm, right, because that's not taking the principle of parental responsibility way too literally. Yes, I want you to raise my kids and the kids of Summit County with your $4/month. That is a perfectly rational summation of this issue.

Bottom line... it'll pass and you'll have to pay anyway.

Arghh!! Education for the masses bad!! Argghhhh!!

I doubt it will pass. Make adults pay for the services. You are the one who mentioned childrens idle hands. Who is responsible for that? The library system does nothing for that, or else we wouldnt have black hooded sweatshirts running amok. I find so humorous, yet disgusting, that anytime someone wants money for a levy, they use the 'its for the children' excuse. I don't see those on fixed incomes or out of work passing this levy.

Michael - the masses have a fair shot at an education at school. It is no one's fault but theirs and their parents if they refuse to study, learn, and become productive members of society. Ever since Hillary Clinton said It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, the inner city democrats have taken that literally, to mean, It aint my job no more! Y'all raise my heathens... BTW - keep my check a'comin'....

"My college math professor is just shaking his head at Mr Overtaxed Voter's comment'

Just remember, YOU go to Akron U...

Is that a "developmental" math class???

zapdog......you make it sound like you will go bankrupt if you pay $1 more in taxes....i'm also starting to wonder if you were droped on your head alot as a child......i hope and pray that someday this country is like the military....free housing...free food....free clothing....free medical.....every doller we earn goes to run the goverment......and everything we need is paid for...but too many people would NEVER want that because everything would be equal then ....and you wouldn't have more than me.......and that would kill you inside....

assistant making this much, subject to "trustee's approval" in 2006:

Akron to get area library boss: New assistant director for Akron-Summit has led Portage system since 2002.
Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH)| March 10, 2006 | COPYRIGHT 2007 Akron Beacon Journal. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)Copyright
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Byline: Mary Kay Quinn

Mar. 10--The Akron-Summit County Public Library's new assistant director will come from a nearby library district. Pamela Hickson-Stevenson, 44, director of the Portage County District Library since 2002, will join the Akron-Summit district in May. She succeeds former assistant director David Jennings, who was promoted to library director in August.

Hickson-Stevenson will be responsible for day-to-day public service operations and aid in planning and decision making. Her salary, subject to library trustees' approval, will be about $81,800, Jennings said.

He cited Hickson-Stevenson's "broad range of experience and…

-- Library Journal, 8/23/2005
The Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH, August 10 offered a two-year director contract to David Jennings, who has been serving as interim director since the departure of Steven Hawk in April 2004. Jennings, who will earn $100,000 annually, has been with the library for 23 years, which likely weighed heavily in his selection over 14 other reported candidates. Board president Frank Comunale told the Akron Beacon Journal that, “once [Jennings] was given the interim position, he was the director in everything but his title.” Comunale also said that Jennings was instrumental in the opening of a $57 million new Main Library and the passage of a 1.4 mill operating levy in 2004. Before serving as interim, Jennings was assistant director for a decade. In that time he oversaw the building of 13 new branch facilities