There are many reasons why Way Public Library is requesting this renewal.

• Maintain our vast collection of audio books, down-loadable e-books, DVDs, music CDs and books for your enrichment and enjoyment.

We offer several different genres including Mystery, Sci-Fi, Graphic Novels, and Paranormal in regular book and in audio book format.  Feature, Foreign, Classic, Family and Children’s DVDs, and music CD’s are also available for loan.  We are also purchasing increasing numbers of downloadable e-books to meet the growing demand.  Reference/Research databases are also purchased from the materials budget.

Should the levy fail, all materials budgets will be cut by 30-50%.

• Continue to provide free programs and special events for the community.

Programming has become a vitally important part of Way.  In 2002, Way conducted 174 programs for children and adults.   In 2011, we provided 524 programs.

Providing programming and special events require extensive staff time and resources.  There are many facets to programming such as planning, staffing, publicity, set-up and clean-up.  Sometimes we have as many as four programs per day and our special events and workshops can take months of planning and preparation.

Due to the extensive amount of staff time and resources required, many programs will be eliminated without the passage of the levy.

• Satisfy the ongoing demands of meeting room usage.

Meeting room usage has risen dramatically over the past seven years.  Staff time is required to: acknowledge requests, evaluate availability, make reservations,  invoice when appropriate, relay room requirements, post daily meeting room schedules, set-up walls/tables/chairs and equipment when requested, tear down and clean-up.

Should the levy fail, meeting rooms may no longer be available free of charge to specified groups and set-up and tear downs will be limited even further.

• Keep existing library hours.

The library is open 67 hours per week from Labor Day to Memorial Day and 63 hours per week during the summer.  If the levy fails, library hours will be reduced. The reduction in operating hours  will decrease utility costs and staff hours.

• Provide necessary resources for our circulation and reference departments due to increased activity.

As circulation numbers continue to grow we will need an additional part-time circulation clerks to meet demand. In addition we are looking at a centralized reference desk to better serve our patrons without having to increase librarian staff.

• Stay current with today’s technology and training to meet the growing needs of our patrons.

Way provides free use of computers to our patrons.  These computers are heavily used.  We average over 4,000 log-ons.  In addition to the computers and the technical support we provide, we offer a variety of computer classes for free or at a minimal charge.

It is important that our patron-use computers not only stay functional but also are comparable to other real-world computer environments.  Current software allows the library to train patrons on the software they will see in other places such as colleges, offices, and workplaces.   
Without the levy, the staggered replacement of hardware and software will be limited.  This means that in time there will be fewer computers available for public usage.

• Preserve the safety and integrity of our heavily used library facility.

Way Library is a heavily used public facility.  It takes staff and money to maintain the safety, cleanliness and regular upkeep of the building and grounds.  In addition, funds are needed for service agreements (elevator, book security system, self-check unit, phone system) and maintenance and repair of the heating and air-conditioning systems, cleaning of the carpets, lawn maintenance in  summer, snow removal in winter, etc.

Without the passage of this levy we will be able to do only the minimum amount of maintenance, on our now ten year old facility, which over time could result in a decrease in function and aesthetics.

In Summary, if the levy fails, Way Library will lose 47% of its income.  This loss means:

• Library hours will be reduced which will decrease staff hours and utility costs.
• Material budgets will be cut by 30-50%.
• Special events and programs will be reduced.
• Meeting rooms may no longer be available free of charge to specified groups.
• Necessary resources for circulation and reference will be minimized.
• Technology upgrades for public computers will be limited.  In time there will be fewer computers available for public usage.
• Facility maintenance will be minimal.