Ontario voters OK library district bond
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 11:01 AM PST
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| Area voters approved a bond to support the Malheur County Library during Tuesday’s general election. |
ONTARIO — The third time was apparently the charm as the latest attempt to form a special district to support and operate the Malheur County Library, which has struggled to keep its doors open and maintain staff, appeared to be gaining voter approval based on results posted at 1:30 a.m. today.
The tally was 2,813 yes votes to 2,149 no votes.
The proposal on Tuesday’s ballot forms a district within the boundaries of the Ontario School District, including the rural areas around Ontario as well as the city, and only supports the Ontario library.
Two previous attempts to form a county-wide library district, which would have sustained public libraries in Vale and Nyssa, as well as the Ontario facility, failed.
Voters within the new library district boundaries approved a levy of $.55 per $1,000 of property value.
They also approved a slate of board members who will serve now that the district is approved. Board members are Sharon Jones, Donnaclaire Blankinship, Amy Couture, Audrey Jacobs and Joseph Debudge.
During the last few of years, Ontario has provided most of the operating funds for the library, and the county has funded the bookmobile, which services rural communities as well as makes in-town stops. That service to those rural areas will stop with the new district, unless outside funding is provided.
Now that the district is approved, the library becomes an entity separate from the county or the city.
Despite the reduced number of hours of operation, the library continues to be a busy place and will again have expanded services.
Now open 27 hours per week, library district supporters said their plan is to have the library open 50 hours or more per week, purchase more books and other materials and have more staff.
S wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:59 PM: