Published November 04, 2009 07:01 pm - The doors of the Harbor-Topky Memorial Library may be open five days a week once again, library director Joe Zappitello said.
Harbor levy to restore programs, hours of operation
By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
ASHTABULA — The doors of the Harbor-Topky Memorial Library may be open five days a week once again, library director Joe Zappitello said.
After months of campaigning and hoping, library officials won a 2-mil operating levy Tuesday, levy money Zappitello said will restore library programs, services and hours of operation.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity and support displayed by the community,” he said. “This money will be used for services and material for the public. Citizens will see updated material on legal, medical, vocational issues. Teachers, homeschoolers, and parents will notice a more diverse selection of materials and students will have the opportunity to enjoy programs and activities.”
The levy won with 63 percent of the votes, according to unoffical Ashtabula County Board of Elections results.
Zappitello said 2009 has been “very painful for the library patron looking for information.”
“Now they will be pleasantly surprised when they visit the Harbor-Topky Memorial Library,” he said.
Zappitello said he felt the support of the voters early on, as people wrote letters and stopped by at the library to voice their concerns about the library’s future.
“There are so many people I would like to thank,” Zappitello said. “This victory should be celebrated by everyone that made it happen which includes staff, volunteers, the friends of the library, concerned citizens, the board of trustees, other directors in the county, other librarians in the county, and the faithful voters.”
Zappitello said the 2-mil levy is not “a moneymaker,” but will help restore the library to its 2001 funding status, including the restoration of programs eliminated or downsized due to the funding crisis.
The library is closed Wednesdays to help cut operating and staffing costs, Zappitello said, and will not return to full operation until levy money is collected.
“The issue of being open a full week is directly related to finances,” he said. “The library can not open on Wednesdays without the tax revenue generated by the levy.”
Zappitello said everyone is ready to get back to the business of running Harbor-Topky Memorial Library.
“I want to be open today,” he said, “and I know the staff, library board, and patrons want the same. At this time it looks challenging to be open a full week again but I am optimistic that we can restore hours sooner than later.”
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