Saturday, October 14th is election day. One of the items on the ballot is a renewal of a Tangipahoa Parish Library millage, or property tax. This is not a tax increase, but only the renewal of an existing tax.
The library operates on two such millages. The one up for renewal this year is for 2.81 mills, which generates just under half the library’s annual budget. It is a ten-year tax that was last renewed in 2013. The other millage is for 3.0 mills, or just over half of the library’s annual budget. It is also a 10-year tax that was last renewed in 2018. Together these millages bring in over 90% of all the money with which the library operates each year.
From this annual revenue the library pays the staff, pays its bills (power, water, repairs, etc.), purchases materials like books, DVDs, e-books, online services, etc., and pays for programs for all ages. It pays for new facilities like the ones in Amite and Kentwood, and the one being planned for Loranger. In short, these property taxes pay for virtually everything the library has and does.
The average homeowner in Tangipahoa Parish – of which I am one – pays less than $40 a year for library services. This includes both the 2.81 mill and 3.0 mill taxes. If the average homeowner downloads e-books, music and audiobooks from the library webpage ( www.tangilibrary.com) and checks out books and DVDs from the library instead of renting or buying them, that person can save more money than they pay in library taxes.
Libraries are economically efficient and serve many people at a lower cost per citizen. Libraries often have exceptionally high rates of Return on Investment (ROI), some measured at more than 600% ROI. In short, the library is a great bang for your tax dollar.
Besides the economic benefit, your Tangipahoa Parish Library is a center for community and the exchange of ideas. At the library you can find programs, meeting room space, book clubs and discover a world of information. You can take free computer classes at the library, as well as free classes on genealogy.
I use the word “free” though I know everything must be paid for. Once the library tax is paid, however, everything the library has to offer is available to you without cost.
Remember, Tangipahoa Parish Library is YOUR library. And please remember to exercise your right to vote on Saturday, October 14th.