LIBRARY EXPANSION

Our community is growing. During last year’s Community Conversations about our new Strategic Plan, residents voiced a clear demand for Library services in the western portion of our service area. Additionally, we continue to receive more and more requests for membership from residents outside of our current service district. Our plans for expanding our service area were accelerated this past June, when residents of Worth Township expressed their desire for full library services to the Worth Township Trustee.

The branch will be a full-service branch with added options depending on the size and needs expressed by the community. HMMPL is proposing three building size options: 15,000 Square Feet, 20,000 Square Feet, and 30,000 Square Feet. Working closely with community members, we will determine the best size, features, and costs together.

We are currently working with the Worth Branch Advisory Group, comprised of area residents and Library Board members, to determine branch features which will determine the final cost. A new branch will create additional staffing and operating cost.  Therefore, the size of the branch will dictate the estimated cost of the expansion.  Using the three building size options listed below, you can see the associated cost comparisons.

The Library and Board are committed to providing the same outstanding Library services that it currently offers Library district taxpayers. The three (3) different general fund cost estimates, estimated levies, and estimated tax rates are listed in the table below. General fund costs are the operational costs of the Library, like personnel, supplies, and materials.

¹ Cost of a Library that is approximately 15,000 square feet

² Cost of a Library that is approximately 20,000 square feet.

³ Cost of a Library that is approximately 30,000 square feet.

⁴ Tax rate is derived from dividing that levy by the proposed expanded net assessed value and multiplied by 100.

⁵ The 2020 debt service rate of the Library is estimated to fund approximately between a $6 and $8 million debt issuance.

Tax rate implications in the original HMMPL Worth Township expansion proposal were based on potential debt payments starting in 2022, with an impact that would decrease thereafter. Since the original proposal, the HMMPL board has been working on bond financing options that will lessen the possibility of an increase in taxes for Eagle and Union Township residents.

Worth Township property owners will see a tax rate of $0.0554 to $0.0686 per $100 of adjusted assessed value for Library services. The timing of tax implications will be determined by bond financing and the final rate will be determined by the size of the Library branch selected. The mid-range rate of $0.0624 would translate into a $61.01* annual Library tax for those with a $200,000 home.

Finally, homeowners who have already met their tax cap will not see an overall increase in their property taxes. Some of their tax dollars paid will be redistributed from other taxing agencies. (Thankfully, our impact has been kept to a minimum due to our lower overall tax rate for the new branch.)

*All included tax examples assume the following mortgage deductions have been applied: homestead deduction, supplemental homestead deduction, and mortgage deduction. The annual Library tax is then calculated based on the resulting net assessed home value.

HMMPL will use feedback from community representatives and residents to determine an ideal site for a new branch in Worth Township. The site selection will depend upon community input, necessary size for the Library, parking and outdoor space, plus convenience and accessibility for residents.

Residents may bring their ID, listing their current home address, to the Library to get a card for themselves. If your
current ID does not list your address, please also bring an official document listing your name and current address, such
as a bank statement or utility bill. Online applications are also accepted at https://zionsvillelibrary.org/get-a-card/.

You may view the full Worth Township Library expansion proposal here.

This new location will be a full-service branch. Our plan is to work closely with representatives from residents to identify the needs of the community. The Library will develop a survey and offer community meetings to discuss options. Then, we will develop a plan for the building and grounds that works best for everyone.  We intend to develop a Library that offers all of the services and materials that HMMPL patrons have come to expect, and also meets the needs of these unique communities.  Patrons can expect a full-service branch with modern amenities and spaces.

Worth Township residents may now enjoy access to the full range of available Library services, including getting a Library card for everyone in their household. HMMPL has purchased a bookmobile that is expected to be on the road by
late 2020. When current, state-wide health restrictions are lifted, the Library will use it to provide outreach services like bookmobile stops, homebound delivery, and offsite programs in our expansion area.

In addition, the Library has purchased a book drop-box with the intention of placing it where residents in our new service area can conveniently use it to return Library materials.

The new branch will be available for all Library cardholders and area visitors, regardless of where they reside.

Those with questions can always send us a message at askalib@zionsvillelibrary.org. You can also reach out to a member of our Worth Branch Advisory Group (more information coming soon).