Sugar Grove Library asking voters again for more money

Sugar Grove Library District voters will be asked in February, for the 12th time, for more money to run the library.

The previous 11 attempts were turned down.

The library board has put the question to voters in every available election since March 2004, plus in April 1997 and April 1981.

This time, it is asking to raise its property tax rate limit to 20 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value.

Currently, the library has a 15-cent limit. But the state's property tax cap law has, in effect, prevented the library from taxing more than about 9 cents per $100 for operating costs. (The library also collects about 10 cents per $100 to pay off the money it borrowed to build the new library.)

If the rate increase is approved, the library would be allowed to immediately raise its tax rate to 20 cents. The levy request it is filing this month, for taxes to be collected in 2010, has been calculated with that in mind.

Library officials estimate that the rate increase would cost the owner of a $500,000 house an additional $173 in the first year.

"I do realize, and the board does, it is a difficult time," said Beverly Holmes Hughes, the library's director.

The library opened its new building in August. Because the larger building requires more staff members, the library cut service hours.

Hughes hopes that now that residents have had the chance to see and use the new library - approved in a 2004 referendum - they will be more inclined to pay more taxes to increase its offerings.

First up would be adding 20 more hours a week to the schedule, Hughes said. The library is open 44 hours a week, one of the fewest of any library in the area; Town and Country in Elburn has 67, and Messenger in North Aurora has 68. The library is closed completely on Sundays and Mondays and is open for four hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

"One of the chief complaints about the new facility is we're not open enough," Hughes said.

The library board will also have a better idea, once winter ends, what utility costs are for the new building, she said. That will factor in to the 2010-11 budget year, which starts July 1.

Library trustees plan to be available on some Saturdays in December and January to speak with people who have questions about the referendum. Questions may also be sent to Hughes at director@sugargrovelib.il.us, or (630) 466-4686.