Kirkwood Not Impacted by County Library Tax Levy

The St. Louis County Library Board of Trustees approved a tax levy ballot issue at its meeting Monday, aimed at long overdue renovations and replacements of the library’s aging facilities and enhancements to programs, collections and services.

The measure, which will appear on the November 2012 ballot, is the first increase the library has requested of voters since 1983.

According to Jennifer McBride, St. Louis County Library Communications Manager, the tax levy is not County-wide.

"It will impact the areas served by the St. Louis County Library system," she said. "Not the nine member municipal library district."

is a member of the Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County. Residents within the Kirkwood Library District will not vote on the ballot issue.

Improvements at Oak Bend

The tax levy would fund improvements at the of the St. Louis County Library (SLCL). SLCL recently contracted to update the district’s Facilities Master Plan. The findings indicate the need for capital improvements to SLCL facilities in order to meet growing community needs.

According to the master plan, upgrades at the should include enhancements to Children’s, Teen and Adult spaces. Building improvements should include additional seating, collaborative spaces and upgrades to furniture and finishes.

The proposed increase would cost the average homeowner in the St. Louis County Library service area around $17.10 a year based on the County’s average $158,000 home.

An independently funded tax campaign, required by law, will begin soon. More information about the ballot issue can be found at www.slcl.org/libraries-matter.

Kirkwood Patch Editor Owen Skoler contributed to this report.