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Approval of a library district, or tax increase to fund a special district like this, will not be asked of Longmont voters this November, but anticipate a library feasibility study to be conducted by the end of this year.
“We do not plan to place this question on the November 2019 ballot,” said Karen Roney, director of Longmont’s Community Services Department. “We are interested in making sure the Longmont Public Library is better positioned to offer 21st century library services to the community and that we have the revenues required to sustain those efforts in the future. A library district could be one of those options.”
City staff is continuing to meet with the existing community library district group who plan to push forward to make this a possibility in the future.
Longmont is preparing a request for quotes to conduct a feasibility study for the Longmont Public Library. The city seeks the assistance of a consultant to work with library staff, elected and appointed City officials and staff, the current community library district group, and other community stakeholders to outline best options moving forward to create, fund, and sustain a modern and responsive library, and to find out what programs and services should be included in a future-facing Library.
The consultant’s report will provide the basis for making informed decisions and determining the potential necessity of a change in library governance and/or the need for a special library tax.
“We think it is important for the community to help determine what services and resources it envisions for Longmont’s 21st century library. There will be ample opportunity for community input and involvement in the feasibility study process,” said Roney.
