The following letter was sent to Sussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum with a copy provided to the Cape Gazette for publication.
I am writing to express my strong support for increasing the library tax to help sustain and strengthen our independent libraries. If this proposed increase were approved, the average property owner would pay less than $20 per year to support these vital community institutions, which are more than just buildings with books; they are vital community hubs that provide free access to information, technology, educational programs, and safe, welcoming spaces for people of all ages.
In 2016, the Lewes Public Library moved to a facility that more than doubled the size of the previous building. This is also true of most of the independent libraries in Sussex County. In the Cape Gazette article last week, a county official pointed out that: “Revenue from the library tax has risen from $1.9 million to $3 million, or by 54%, since 2008, which has kept pace with the rate of inflation.” The funds received from the county in 2008 did not fully cover the Lewes Public Library's expenses. So today, with the square footage of the library more than doubling since 2008, the funds provided by the county do not even come close to meeting the operating costs of our library or these other vital public institutions.
The expansion of the library buildings was necessary because the old buildings were insufficient to meet the needs of the county’s growing population. More space means more books, technology, maintenance, utilities and staff – all essential to ensure these expanded facilities remain vibrant, accessible and fully functional for the public. Our libraries are not just bigger; they are busier, more resource-rich and more vital to community life than ever before. They are community gathering places that promote literacy, lifelong learning and community connection.
The modest increase in the library tax being requested will not fully fund our library or the other independent libraries, but it would provide additional stable, predictable funding, allowing these libraries to focus on expanding services, maintaining facilities and meeting the evolving needs of our growing community.
I urge you to support this request to increase the library tax rate.
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