Building Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is my library funded? How big are my libraries now? When was the last STPL capital building program? Did the library get citizen input in planning for the future? What did the Building Planning Committee Recommend? What will the new libraries cost me? Why not propose a sales tax instead of a property tax to pay for new libraries? What exactly is a millage? How many libraries will be built? Where will the new libraries be located? When will be my new library be built? When is the election? Where do I vote? When is the deadline to register for this election? How can I get more information? Back to: Building Program How is my library funded? 91% of library revenue is based on property taxes; currently, the rate is 5.24 mills for operations and maintenance. This translates to $18.89 per capita annually. There is no funding for capital projects. Back to: Top How big are my libraries now? Currently, our 12 branches range from approximately 2,000 to 22,000 square feet, totaling 70,000 square feet in all. Since the approval of the last building plan in 1983, the population of St. Tammany has grown by 69%. Our population is projected to be between 300,000 and 327,000 by 2025. Back to: Top When was the last STPL capital building program? Voters approved the last library capital building program 22 years ago in 1983. $6 million was used to build 7 library buildings between 1987 and 1993. Back to: Top Did the library get citizen input in planning for the future? The St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control (LBOC) recognized the need for broader, parish-wide citizen input into the library’s building needs. Community leaders and patrons of the STPL from multiple relevant professions were invited to participate in a blue ribbon Building Planning Committee (BPC). During 2003-2004, the BPC studied parish demographics and growth, the current state of STPL buildings, peer library systems within Louisiana, and national library trends and standards. The Building Planning Committee presented a report of its findings to the Library Board of Control on September 21, 2004. The BPC report documents that the STPL needs to dramatically expand its building space to meet the needs of the citizens of St. Tammany. Back to: Top What did the Building Planning Committee Recommend? The BPC report includes the following key recommendations: STPL should be an “Excellent” system by Louisiana Standards. STPL should be in the 90th percentile by National Standards. Population in 20 years will be at least 300,000. Collection size should total 3.5 items per capita (1,050,000 items). 375,000 or more square feet will be needed to house the collection and serve the citizens of St. Tammany Parish. Back to: Top What will the new libraries cost me? The new libraries will be paid for by a proposed 7.5 mills which covers the cost of land and construction, as well as the expanded collection of books, CD's, DVD's, computers, and other inhancements. It also includes the increased operating expenses that the expanded space, personnel and hours of operation entail. For the average homeowner in St. Tammany Parish, that comes out to about $56.25 annually, which is roughly the cost of two best-sellers.     You can get more than your money’s worth by using your library to check out books or videos and attending a library program. Back to: Top Why not propose a sales tax instead of a property tax to pay for new libraries? By state law, state, local, and parishwide sales taxes in a parish must not exceed 9%, excluding law enforcement taxes. The state portion is 4%, therefore a parish may not levy sales taxes exceeding 5% in any taxing district within the parish. Mandeville's current tax rate is 9.25% which includes an exempt one/quarter cent Sheriff's tax. St. Tammany is thus at its maximum sales tax capacity and cannot levy additional non-law enforcement sales taxes without enabling legislation from the state legislature. Back to: Top What exactly is a millage? According to the Louisiana Tax Commission, millage is the percentage of value that is used in calculating taxes. A mill is defined as 1/10 of 1 percent. The millage rate is multiplied by the assessed property value to calculate taxes. For more information on property taxes, visit: http://www.latax.state.la.us/faq.htm Back to: Top How many libraries will be built? There will be two new regional libraries (East & West) and 9 new community libraries. The existing Slidell and Covington branches will be renovated. These are the only two existing buildings large enough to be effective community libraries. Back to: Top Where will the new libraries be located? We will not abandon any community. Libraries will be located in Abita Springs, Bush, Covington, Folsom, Lacombe, Lee Road, Madisonville, Mandeville, Pearl River, Pontchartrain, and Slidell. (Click on the location to see what is planned for each library.) New library sites will be selected as close as possible to town centers and will be based on parish growth. Land for all the new libraries will be purchased early on to secure the best sites. The leased facility will be reevaluated when the lease expires in 7 years. Back to: Top When will my new library be built The new Pontchartrain and Madisonville libraries will be built first because those two libraries sustained the most damage during Hurricane Katrina. They will be followed by the Regional libraries which will have the greatest impact on services to the largest number of people. They will allow the book collection to grow immediately and provide space for drastically increased programming for all age groups. The other new community libraries and the two renovations will be completed in the order of greatest need based on growth patterns and library service, not on politics! Back to: Top When is the election? The election date is July 15, 2006. Back to: Top Where do I vote? Check this website to find out where you should go to vote: http://www.sec.state.la.us/elections/elect-before.htm Back to: Top When is the deadline to register for this election? The last day to register to vote in this election is June 14, 2006. Check this website to find out about voter registration: http://www.stprov.org/contact.html Back to: Top How can I get more information? The library is prohibited by law from advocating for or against any millage proposal. We are authorized to provide information so that the voters can make an informed choice. Speak with your local Branch Manager or call 871-1220 to schedule a presentation to your community group, school, or church. Take our online survey to voice your opinion about the Building Program. Back to: Top Back to: Building Program Last updated 3/30/2006. Copyright © St. Tammany Parish Library All Rights Reserved. Unofficial and external sites are not endorsed by the St. Tammany Parish Library.