CINCINNATI (AP) — The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County says it will ask voters to approve an operating levy for the first time in 80 years.
Officials say state funding cuts will result in a shortfall of more than $10 million by next year. They'll put a five-year, 1-mill property tax levy on the November ballot.
The library says the levy would cost a homeowner in Hamilton County $30 a year for every $100,000 in assessed value.
Library board President Elizabeth LaMacchia says, unless the shortfall is made up, between 15 and 20 of the system's 40 branches will close and hours elsewhere will be cut back.
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The Cincinnati library system is one of the nation's busiest with a record high 15.6 million circulation in 2008 and more than 5.6 million library visits.
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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com