CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With just three weeks left until the election, the Vote Yes for Libraries committee in Kanawha County is getting the word out about the importance of passing a levy.
“We take for granted that the library’s always been there and it’s always going to be there. If this levy does not pass, we can’t make that assumption anymore,” said Cheryl Morgan, the treasurer of the Vote Yes for Libraries committee.
“We will, unfortunately, have to drastically dismantle the library system as we know it. We certainly don’t want that to happen.”
The committee kicked off their ‘Loving my Library’ campaign one month ago. The goal is to get folks in Kanawha County to vote for a $15 million, 5-year levy that would replace some of the funds the library system lost in 2013 when the state Supreme Court ruled against the Kanawha County Library to continue receiving funds from the Kanawha County School system.
What’s been the hardest part, according to Morgan, is trying to educate the public what the levy is for.
“In no way, shape or form are these funds to build anything. They’re not to build new libraries. This is just to get us back to fighting weight so that we can provide the level of services that our patrons have come to expect and enjoy,” said Morgan.
Another hurdle has been the wording on the ballot. Even though the heading reads ‘County of Kanawha, Board of Education,’ not a penny goes to the schools. It is all for the library system.
Morgan said, so far, the campaign has gone surprisingly well, with support and funding coming from all areas of Kanawha County. However, their budget is not big. That’s why the committee has relied on getting out and talking with people about the importance of a ‘yes’ vote.
“We need to explain a little bit about why we lost our funding and what we’re doing here and why we need the money back,” said Morgan. “It’s a conversation that we find is best held face to face.”
The committee has also stressed the placement of the levy on the ballot. It’s on the back. Morgan’s message for voters is simple.
“Flip it! Flip that ballot over and please vote yes!”