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On the primary ballot for May 14, the board of education is proposing an excess levy call that would reduce the previous amount dedicated to the libraries from around $1.4 million to $1.3 million; however, combined with additional tax revenue collected from assessed property values, called �����Ƶ�equalization checks,�����Ƶ� which would no longer be paid to the libraries, the library board is estimating a much greater loss of revenue.

For fiscal year 2023, although the board�����Ƶ�s excess levy call dedicated around $1.4 million to the libraries, data provided by library staff during Monday�����Ƶ�s meeting showed the equalization checks brought the library�����Ƶ�s cut of the levy up to nearly $1.7 million.

Should the board�����Ƶ�s excess levy proposal pass as written, with an estimated annual growth rate for assessed property values of 2.52%, the library estimates it could lose nearly $600,000 in 2026, the first year the levy would take effect, and almost $800,000 by 2030.

�����Ƶ�These are not the things I wish to discuss,�����Ƶ� library Director Breana Bowen told forum attendees. �����Ƶ�However, I would not be doing my job if I didn�����Ƶ�t let you know that our library system is set to negatively change, and our users and supporters need to know that I appreciate your continued advocacy on behalf of our library system.�����Ƶ�

Since the board began discussing cutting excess levy funding to both the libraries and the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District in May 2023, the two entities have seen a growing following, both online and in-person.

Around Huntington, yard signs asking voters to vote �����Ƶ�No�����Ƶ� on the excess levy, T-shirts and flyers advocating for the cause and buttons urging passersby to ask about the levy have become increasingly visible as support for parks and libraries and animosity for the board and its proposal spread.

�����Ƶ�It is up to you to decide what you want to see in our community. Speak up for the things that are important to you. Visit our programs. Check out our resources. Share our social media posts. Walk through the doors of our libraries. Visit the parks and attend their amazing events and programs. Continue advocating on our behalf, and get out there and vote,�����Ƶ� Bowen said.

The board�����Ƶ�s proposed excess levy call budgets for a total of $30,528,234 for the entire levy. That includes $1,373,771 per year to be shared by the libraries in Huntington, Cox Landing, Guyandotte, Salt Rock, Barboursville, Gallaher Village, Milton and West Huntington in addition to their regular budgets. Another $200,000 of the excess levy call is dedicated to the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District with the exception of its three parks in Wayne County.

While Bowen and park Director Kathy McKenna said they cannot urge voters for or against the excess levy call, many supporters who attended the forum Monday said they want to vote down the excess levy in May with the hope the board will revise it to include more money for the parks and libraries and put it in front of voters again on the November ballot.

�����Ƶ�I hope that this vote �����Ƶ�no�����Ƶ� will be a point where we can have an actual negotiation with the parks and the libraries and the Cabell County Board of Education,�����Ƶ� said Sarah Brooks, a Huntington resident who attended Monday�����Ƶ�s forum. �����Ƶ�I hope that they�����Ƶ�ll see it as we are not trying to fail a levy, that we�����Ƶ�re just trying to get them to put what we need into the levy. And I hope that, come November, that I�����Ƶ�ll be valiantly fighting for a brand new levy that fully funds the parks and libraries to be passed.�����Ƶ�

While there has been significant debate over whether a compromise was actually attempted between the board and the parks and libraries before the final proposal was adopted for the May ballot, all three entities have made claims of needing the funding for staffing, programming and other necessities they may have to cut without it.

During Monday�����Ƶ�s public forum, several Friends of the Library illustrated in numbers what their potential cuts could mean for patrons.

�����Ƶ�It�����Ƶ�s nice to be liked. It�����Ƶ�s better to be needed,�����Ƶ� said David Owens, assistant director of adult services for the libraries. �����Ƶ�In library world, we�����Ƶ�re often asked to justify our relevance, especially in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Who needs a library?�����Ƶ�

So far in 2024, Owens said the library�����Ƶ�s databases have been used by 43,997 people who have looked at 142,090 items ranging from genealogy to personal finance, local newspapers, early learning opportunities, languages and other inquiries. He said 54,783 Cabell County residents, or over half according to last year�����Ƶ�s U.S. census , have checked out the library�����Ƶ�s digital items.

Owens has hosted 864 adult programs attended by 7,140 people and provided outreach services to 26,364 county residents. In addition, he said the library shares its facilities with several local entities, provides free notaries, wi-fi, a laptop rental program, faxing, printing, podcasting equipment and other resources that he said are frequently used on a daily basis and have helped patrons apply for and earn jobs, educate themselves, recover and rehabilitate.

�����Ƶ�These may seem like very small potatoes to serve. To be taken as a whole on the daily of what we do, that�����Ƶ�s a great big potato, I reckon,�����Ƶ� Owens said.

Sara Ramezani, the library�����Ƶ�s assistant director for popular services, talked about the various community programs the libraries offer, which have included ballroom dancing and historical exhibits among other activities. Angela Arthur, youth service manager, said beyond story times and play dates, her department has even hosted therapy sessions with �����Ƶ Birth to Three, supervised visitation, outreach and summer programs to 736 children as of this year.

Ramezani stressed the services the libraries offer are not just needed, but also relevant for people of all age groups and cultural backgrounds. Bowen said the Cabell County Public Library has more than 120,000 registered library card holders, to be exact.

�����Ƶ�We don�����Ƶ�t even ask if you have a library card. They come in and use our facility, our meeting rooms, our programs. They read and they get help. This is what the library is for. It�����Ƶ�s a place for community as a whole,�����Ƶ� Ramezani said. �����Ƶ�We support diversity and inclusion. We increase social interaction. We empower through access to free resources.�����Ƶ�

Bowen said the timeline for many of the possible cuts to the resources listed on CCPL�����Ƶ�s plan of action is uncertain as the board of trustees awaits the results of the election.

�����Ƶ�At the end of the day, we all just care about the community, and we want to serve people. We�����Ƶ�re here in these jobs because we care about Cabell County. I don�����Ƶ�t think any person working in libraries is there for the money or the clout or anything,�����Ƶ� Bowen said. �����Ƶ�We�����Ƶ�re there because we want to help people. And I hope and I pray that we�����Ƶ�re able to do that into the future. And hopefully, with you all and with your support, we�����Ƶ�ll be able to continue to serve our communities for decades to come.�����Ƶ�