Library director says new tax would be huge help in funding

MOULTON — A 0.5-mill property tax that would cost landowners a few dollars each could have a "huge" impact on funding for the Lawrence County Public Library, said library Director Miranda Ball.

The Lawrence County Commission voted Monday to send a resolution to the state requesting that an ad valorem tax of 0.5 mills to fund public libraries be placed on the February ballot.

Ball is asking the Lawrence County Commission for $60,000 this year. Last year, county public libraries received $35,000.

If approved, the money will help pay the salaries of two full-time employees and five part-time employees.

Ball said the property tax would add about $100,000 to the public library fund.

"From what I understand, property taxes are a really hard sell for people, but it would just be $100,000 a year," she said. "If you divide that by 30,000, that's just $3 a person. I don't think it would make a huge impact (on landowners), but I think it would have a huge impact on the library."

Ball said 7,657 items were checked out from the library from June 28 to Monday. Items checked out have a total estimated value of $153,140, based on the average cost a person would spend on the items at Books-A-Million or Movie Gallery, Ball said.

Nancy Glasscock

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