Jasper Library: March to referendum continues; new website answers many questions

The Jasper Library Board approved a resolution to proceed with seeking a bond to pay for the construction of a new library on the Hoosier Desk property.

The referendum question as it will appear on the November ballot has not been approved by the Department of Local Government and Finance. However, it will ask for taxpayers in the City of Jasper, Bainbridge Township, Madison-Jasper and Boone-Jasper to approve up to $6,500,000 for the purpose of constructing the new library.

If approved, the levy for the debt service on the bonds could increase property taxes up to $602,000 annually. This amounts to $0.0595 per $100 assessed value.

Currently, the library is partnered with the City of Jasper, Jasper Community Arts Commission and The Next Act, Inc. to raise $8 million for the projects in the downtown area. The fundraising campaign called Jasper LEADs — Library, Enrichment, Arts and Downtown — kicked off in May with a $1.7 million commitment from Jasper residents Jim and Pat Thyen.

The pledge from the Thyens is contingent on three things:

1. The fundraiser successfully raises $1.7 million for the arts.
2. The library referendum passes in November.
3. The Jasper Common Council approve the funding for the remaining portion of the Jasper Community Arts Commission project that includes the Cultural Center.

The Jasper Community Arts Commission announced $425,000 had been raised in addition to the $1.7 million commitment from the Thyens at its meeting Tuesday.

As part of Jasper LEADs, $2 million of the $8 million is slated for the new library project which could decrease the debt service the library board is asking for.

The Jasper Library launched an information website that answers many common questions regarding the Jasper Library Board’s plans with the Hoosier Desk property. That site is here.

It is an important step for the library as it battles misconceptions and misunderstandings on how the public library is funded as well as what will happen if the referendum does not pass.

Q: What will the Library do if the referendum does not pass?

A: If the referendum does not pass, nothing will happen: no new building, no renovations, no remodeling. The Library will stay where it is and as it is. Without the referendum approval for funds, the Library does not have the money to move forward with any construction project at either location.

This is what we call “Plan B.” Plan B is what occurs if the referendum fails, meaning that nothing happens at all. Plan B does not mean that a new library will be built on the existing location, nor does it mean that the existing building will be renovated or remodeled.

Some people are confused about the library’s funding and how the referendum will impact the City of Jasper.

Q: Are the other downtown development projects going to raise my property taxes as well?

A: No, there has been no discussion of a tax increase anywhere besides the one for the library referendum. All other city projects are looking at using fundraising, EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) funds, and other available city resources to fund these projects.

What about the perceived trend regarding the usage of electronic devices rather than non-digital media (i.e. books)?

Q: Why does the Library need a bigger space when everything is moving to electronics instead of print?

A: National studies show the exact opposite of this notion, as do our own statistics. The Library completely embraces technology and has for many years, but it has not impacted our circulation numbers for physical materials. In fact, circulation numbers continue to trend upward. Last year, 239,483 physical items were checked out from the Jasper Public Library, a 2% increase from 2014. Book circulation alone rose 5%.

That being said, 29,580 e-materials (e-books and downloadable audiobooks) were borrowed from the Library, and the on-line databases were accessed thousands of times. We are thrilled to offer robust collections in both physical and electronic resources.

If you are interested in seeing how the Jasper-Dubois County Public Library system is ranked among all other libraries in Indiana regarding its circulation or any other statistics, please visit the State Library’s website and browse through the spreadsheets and documents they provide. These statistics will show you how we compare to other communities our size.

Many people are concerned about the potential problems associated with renovating the Hoosier Desk building. However, the library does not plan on doing that.

Q: Will the Library renovate the existing Hoosier Desk building, or will the Library demolish and build a new facility?

A: When the Library Board voted on the Hoosier Desk site it was with the stipulation that the Library build a brand new building. An option was left open that shared spaces between the Jasper Arts Center and Library may be in remodeled or repurposed areas. The Library Board researched and did its due diligence and determined that it is more economically feasible to start from scratch at the Hoosier Desk site.

Besides the few common questions listed here, the new website has 35 other commonly asked questions as well as a cost calculator for property owners to determine the amount referendum will add to their property taxes. Anyone with a question that is not answered by the website can contact the library:

• In person at 1116 Main Street, Jasper, IN 47546
• By telephone at 812-482-2712 ext. 6115
• By e-mail to the director Christine Golden at cgolden@jdcpl.us

The next steps for the board include completing the wording for the referendum question and obtaining the 125 required signatures to have the question included on the ballot. Library Director Christine Golden told the board she would have a booth at the upcoming Chalk Walk to hand out information, answer questions about the library and seek the signatures.

Schematics for the cultural center are expected to be ready next week and the library board will likely hold a special meeting to reveal them.

Also at the meeting:

As part of the Local Option Income Tax being distributed to the taxing entities across the state, the Jasper Public Library will receive $91,940. The money is part of the one-time distribution of LOIT funds that were kept by the state in response to the economic downturn several years ago. The money will be placed in the library’s rainy day fund.