Author: Amanda Warner

Many of our patrons will see the Plain City Public Library Levy on their November 5th, 2024 ballots. This levy is a renewal of the existing Library Levy, not a new tax.

55% of the library’s annual funding in 2023 came from a local property tax levy. This is compared to 44% of funding which came from state funds and other regular income and miscellaneous funds which make up about 1%.

Why is this levy renewal so important?

Since 2000, regular operating expenses are up nearly 200%. Unfortunately, state funding has declined further in 2024.

Levy funds support many community services such as:

Early literacy initiatives and summer reading

Technology training for adults

Enrichment and social activities for families

Aides for educators and deliveries to students

Educational and STEAM programs for all ages

Access to millions of free books, movies, music titles, games, and much more

Losing levy funds would be catastrophic to current services

Questions answered

1. This is NOT a new levy. This is a renewal for an existing 1.5mil levy that is set to expire in 2025.
2. Ohio Revised Code (3375.17) currently restricts how our library may levy taxes. Since the library seeks revenue for general operations, a property tax is the only permissible type of levy.
3. The library has NOT received corporate donations in lieu of property tax for abatements granted by county, township, or municipal governments.
4. Books & other materials are NOT free for the library, and digital content often costs 4 times more than print material.
5. Except for certain new construction, the library does NOT receive revenue from property tax bill increases due to higher property values.
6. The library pays monthly bills for non-discounted utilities including electric, telecommunications, water, gas, refuse, and recycling. In some cases, the library is even charged commercial rates which can be higher than residential rates.
7. The library is a stand-alone entity, serving multiple counties. We are not part of, or funded by, any county office, municipal office, public school district, or larger library system.
8. The library’s 2024 facility expansion was donor funded and the library will begin operating the new space in 2025 without additional revenue due to a reallocation of resources. This levy renewal is for current and continuing operating expenses.

For more information

Go directly to the source: contact Library Director, Chris Long at 614-873-4912, ext. 123 or via email at clong@plaincitylib.org.

Back-to-school is right around the corner! Don’t send your kids back without their most important school supply: their library card.

Let PCPL help with your back-to-school preparations!

• Get a library card
  Getting a library card is easy! Click the link for library card application and requirements.

• Finish summer reading requirements
  Visit our online catalog to request titles for school courses.

• Free research databases
  Use your Plain City Public Library card to access a variety of high-quality content and reliable sources.

• Download books to your device
  Short on time? Borrow e-books or audiobooks from Libby or hoopla, straight to your preferred device.

• Access to computers and printing
  Use a desktop or laptop computer in the library, or send a print from your phone or home computer.

Questions? Contact the Library online or by calling 614-873-4912 during our open hours of:

Monday-Thursday 10-8
Friday-Saturday 10-5
Closed Sunday

Join us for the Grand Opening of the Perry Yoder Workshop and Community Room!

Friday, March 7
3:00-5:00pm

This event is open to the public and will include tours of this new library space and equipment demonstrations. The first 100 visitors who show their Plain City Public Library card will receive an exclusive PCPL tote and one lucky winner will receive a gift basket full of DIY “blanks” supplies for use in The Workshop.

No registration is required. Tote bag giveaway is limited to PCPL card holders only, one tote bag per family. 

10/2024 Construction progress

3/2024 The Library will break ground this month on a building expansion which will include a workshop maker-space, community meeting room, recording studio, and drive through pick-up window. This project was made possible by a donation from Perry Yoder, a local retired business owner and library supporter.

Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2024. Check this page for updates as this project progresses.

Press

Madison Messenger: “Local businessman’s donation helps to make library expansion possible“

Visit the Library this Spring Break for fun, interesting, and educational programs for all ages!

ALL AGES STORYTIME
Monday, March 25
10:30AM
Join us for stories, rhymes, songs and other learning activities appropriate for ages 6 and under. Caregiver must attend. No registration required.

CIRCUIT BUGS: A STEM Project for Ages 8 & Up
Monday, March 25
1:00-3:00PM
Design your own circuit bug and use LED diodes, wire, and a battery to make it light up! Drop in any time between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Project will be available while supplies last. This project is recommended for ages 8 and up.

MY LITTLE PONY: TAILS OF EQUESTRIA
Tuesday, March 26
2:00PM
Join us for a kid-friendly role-playing game inspired by the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic TV series. Players will get to create their own pony characters and collaborate with other players to work through various challenges while exploring the magical land of Equestria. During this session, players will be playing through “The Pet Predicament” gamebook designed for beginner players. Knowledge of the My Little Pony TV series is helpful but not required to play this game.
This game is recommended for ages 8 and up. This is a role-playing game, and players will be expected to read and write on their own, so it is not recommended for the youngest My Little Pony fans. Registration is required for this event.

CUSTOM T-SHIRTS: Make Your Own T-Shirt
Wednesday, March 27
6:00PM
Make a custom t-shirt in The Workshop and learn about the equipment used to create it.
Registration is required.

AFTERNOON BOARD GAMES
Thursday, March 28
2:00-4:00PM
Drop-in anytime between 2:00pm – 4:00pm to play an assortment of board games with family, friends, or other gamers. Games that will be available are:
Future Me Problems – Recommended ages 7+ – 20-30 minutes average game time
5-Minute Dungeon – Recommended ages 8+ – 30 minutes average game time
Space Escape: Mole Rats in Space – Recommended ages 7+ – 20 minutes average game time
Forbidden Island – Recommended ages 10+ – 30 minutes average game time

BEDTIME STORYTIME: Streaming LIVE!
Every Thursday
7:00PM
Join us on Facebook and Youtube for a LIVE online Bedtime Storytime every Thursday at 7:00pm. Enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and more that will help your little one wind down before bedtime! These storytimes are intended for children ages 6 and under, but anyone can tune in and participate!
Watch on
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PlainCityPublicLibrary
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/c/PlainCityPublicLibrary

CUSTOM STICKERS
Friday, March 29
3:00PM
Want to create stickers of your very own? This workshop will teach you how to design and make stickers using Cricut Design Space and the Cricut Maker 3 machine. Each program participant will be able to make one 8.5 x 11 in. sticker sheet.
This program is recommended for ages 10 and up. Registration is required.

The Plain City Public Library Board of Trustees is seeking a new member. Prospective members must be residents of the Jonathan Alder School District.

For more information about the Library Board and how to apply please click the button below. All further questions can be directed to Library Director Chris Long at clong@plaincitylib.org.