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Other Fund Highlights <br />Overview <br />The Library Local Option Levy Fund contains the tax resources received from the 4-year <br />renewal of the Library local option property tax approved by voters in May 2002 to <br />support Library operations. The levy authorized the collection of $19.6 million over four <br />years, or $4.9 million per year (about $0.50 per $1000 of assessed value for a typical <br />taxpayer). The measure was approved by 56% of voters participating in the May election. <br />Tax collections began in November 2003 and the last tax assessment will occur in <br />November 2006. <br />The levy fund will provide $S.0 million in FY07 in support of Library operations, which <br />represents about 50% of the budget for the Downtown Library and 100% of the budgets <br />for Bethel and Sheldon Branch Library services: <br />Fund Accomplishments <br />'The current levy -funds approximately half of the Library's on-going services. These <br />services meet or exceed the Oregon Library Association's "adequate" standard for our <br />population serviced in all key areas: <br />^ Governance -Library Advisory Board established January-2005 <br />^ Access -open to the public at least 60 hours per week <br />^ Staff -qualified staff to meet service levels <br />^ Materials and Services -collection standard of 2.5 books per capita <br />^ Technology -connectivity ,number of public computers, subscriptions to <br />databases <br />^ Community Involvement -expanding partnerships <br />^ Facilities -square footage, safe operations <br />r. <br />The Library serves an average of 3,500 patrons per day at its three locations, making it <br />? the most frequently used cultural resource in the community. The circulation of library <br />materials has almost doubled since FY03. In the December 2005 Community Survey, <br />Eugene is perceived by the majority of respondents as doing an above average job at <br />providing library services, and when asked if they or a family member had used various <br />city services in the past year, respondents cited library services as the second highest used <br />service (71%, up from 58% in 2003). <br />Issues and Challenges <br />The major challenge is the identification of resources to replace time-limited levy funds. <br />In April, 2006, the City Council will consider whether to place afour-year levy renewal <br />;: on the November 2006 ballot. Under the proposed renewal of the Library Local Option <br />Levy recommended by citizens on the Library Advisory Board, all services funded by the <br />t current levy would continue and no new services would be added. <br />43 <br />