-Additional enhancements to programming
-Investing in our Library staff
-Increased selections of Large Print books
-Expanded outreach efforts to all aspects of our community.
-Expanded E-materials including additional E-Book & E-Audiobooks, expanded music and movie selections
-More database options for students & local business owners
-Replace worn & outdated technology & purchase newer technologies as they come out.
-Complete Integration with our physical & digital resources into one easy to use digital interface allowing you to check our local collection & digital collection at the same time
-Replace current shelving with more accessible options making it easier for children & patrons with mobility issues find their books easier
-Utilize our recently completed Strategic Plan to make our current branch more attractive & updated to fit our community needs better.
-Modernization and update of our current facility at the Community Center
-Access to both State & Federal aid, thereby allowing our local dollars to be spent on more important resources and needs

-Cut & Reduce programs, remaining programs will require usage fees to participate
-Eliminate School Outreach
-Eliminate Homebound services & all adult & senior programs
-Resume charging late fees
-Elimination of Saturday hours
-Elimination of ALL digital e-resources including Hoopla, Libby, Proquest, & all educational databases
-Any and all improvements to space will be done sparingly and only by donations, no suggestions from our Strategic Plan can be implemented
-We will potentially loose 1/2 of our budget if the IGA funds are eliminated.

Currently Ste. Genevieve County Library is funded through a $.045 cent per $100 property tax. The initial tax levy was established in 1960 at $.010 per $100 and was voluntarily reduced in 2017 to $.045 per $100 with an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) established between the Library, County & Community Center to establish a fund of $200,000 for any needs not covered by the reduced rate.
Prop L will be the first time since 1960 that the library has asked for an INCREASE in Library funding.

The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was put in place after the 2017 election where the Library voluntarily rolled back our 1960 property tax rate to $.045 per $100. This rollback allowed an increase in sales taxes so the Community Center could expand with a Bloomsdale location and the popular River Rapids Waterpark (This was all voted on by our community). Luckily, this IGA was put in place between the Community Center, County and Library with the understanding that an account would be set up specifically for Library use if we needed it, not to exceed $200,000 a year. Every December 15th, the Community Center is responsible for filling this account back up to $200,000 if the Library spent any the funds.

Since 2019 we have been using more and more of this money and during the 2024 budget year have estimated using $180,000 of the $200,000. Now with the reduction in sales taxes on the state level affecting our county tremendously, the funds utilized through the IGA are now no longer a guarantee and has hit both the Community Center & other tax entities hard. Sadly because the funds from the IGA come from sales taxes, this has hit us especially hard, even though our main source of funding comes from property taxes.

With the reduction of the sales taxes the future of the IGA is now in question and future funding is not certain. Increasing our tax levy will allow the Library to control its own economic future for the betterment of the county and its residents.

Unfortunately, as a property tax-based entity, the LaFargeHolcim protest means we are also receiving less property tax than we should, the funds are in Escrow and will not be released until the protest is finalized which can take years. Here is a snapshot of the current funds we do not have access to making Prop L even more important.

• 2021-$110,416.45
• 2022-$116,263.14
• 2023-$117,880.87
• Total: $344,560.46 Possible future distribution, plus interest.

These rates are only if the state sees in the counties favor, if the state sees in HolcimLafarge's favor this amount will be less.

Additionally, the Commissioners are still working out the details of the Senior Property Tax Freeze which will further reduce our budget when implemented. Without Prop L our financial outlook will only become worse.

At the present time we have the lowest tax based income in the state. If Prop L passes and increases our levy to $.15 per $100 we will still be lower than our surrounding communities but in a better financial situation. For reference this is what surrounding libraries have their rate at with both our current and proposed rates included:
-Ste. Genevieve current $.045 per $100
-Festus $.20 per $100
-Jefferson County $.28 per $100
-Ozark Regional $.21 per $100
-Desoto Public Library $.35 per $100
-Cape Girardeau Public Library $.20 per $100
-Prop L increase $.15 per $100

We understand the sentiment especially with so many digital resources today. However, our library has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community. Many people still rely on us for access to books, research materials, technology and community programs. In fact our usage statistics show that since 2017 physical checkouts have increased 58%, yearly visitors have increased 56% and our electronic circulations have increased 181%. If you would like to see more check our Administrative Resources page. Our last 5 annual reports go over each years usage and you can see how your investment will be of value to you, your family and your community.

We will use our Strategic Plan to guide improvements to the current location based on community feedback and suggestions. If Prop L passes, we'll develop designs and plans for upgrades, which include better shelving, ADA compliance, a dedicated children’s area with a Story-Time Room, a smaller circulation desk, and an outdoor space. You can review the Strategic Plan by checking it out here!

We are currently working on securing digital renderings of what we anticipate our improved space will look like. We are hoping to unveil these images by February of 2025.

From 1960 to 2016, we were part of the Ozark Regional system, but we parted ways due to various reasons including our inability to provide resources our community wanted. Afterward, we struggled to find our footing, often modeling decisions on Ozark Regional instead of focusing on what Ste. Genevieve County Library could do. Due to underutilized funds over two cycles, we accumulated excess cash, which required either a voluntary tax rollback or state intervention. In response to community demand for a swimming facility, the library agreed to reduce its property tax rate to support the new Bloomsdale Community Center Extension and River Rapids Waterpark through an increased sales tax. The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was created as a safety net for the library, but by 2018, we began drawing from it, and our latest budget cycle was budgeted to utilize nearly $180,000 of it, with the IGA future in limbo, we face uncharted territory with no means to recoup the lost funds.

While we deeply appreciate donations, they are not a reliable solution for budget shortfalls. In fact, the last library in the state supported entirely by volunteers and donations had to pass a tax levy in 2022 to avoid closing in 2023. Donations help us fund our "wants," but relying on them alone to keep our doors open puts us in a tough financial position. If you'd like to support us, please consider donating here https://cfozarks.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1134 -- every bit helps enhance our services!

Our Strategic Plan focuses on improving our services and ensuring the library’s sustainability for the next 100 years. Our amazing Friends group has raised thousands of dollars to replace equipment, send staff to training, and support long-term growth. We're also working to establish a Foundation to raise larger funds and reduce the need for tax dollars in future projects. Over the last five years, thanks to staff efforts, we've secured nearly $100,000 in grants and private donations, funding items like our 3D printer, Shushbooth, Charlie Cart, and more.

-If Prop L passes- we will move forward with planning and implementation of our Strategic Plan. We will work with both the County & Community Center in developing a strong plan that we can implement when the funds are made available in 2026.
-If Prop L fails- We will reach out to all current non-essential services and databases and cancel those services effective the end of their contract. Any remaining funds left over in November of 2025 will be spent to stock up on program supplies and other items we will not have the budget for. Effective January 1st 2026 all budget cuts will be put into effect.

This is not meant to scare anyone. However, in order to know how big of a loss the IGA funds are to our budget these are the results without Prop L.
-Late fees and fines will resume and will be increased. (SGCLIB went fine free in 2021)
-All B&W copies will increase at a cost TBD (They are currently $.10 per sheet)
-Hours would be cut dramatically. These cuts will result in staff being let go. (At present we are open 56 hours a week. Hours could be cut low enough to 40 per week)
-Staff trainings & conferences will cease & a pay freeze on all remaining employees will be instated (Currently every conference we have sent employees to has resulted in ideas that have made our library better and have resulted in added services and programs)
-Technology help & classes will be discontinued
-Our book budget will be cut by half. Currently we purchase roughly 70 books a month & 10-15 DVD's. Under a failed Prop L we would purchase 40 books and 3-4 DVD's a month opting to fulfill all requests from other libraries.
-Book requests will take longer: Sadly, with a reduced book budget, we will not be able to purchase all the books people want. Instead we will rely heavily on the other Evergreen Libraries to fill in the need. All libraries institute a 3 month hold on all new items, which means if we can't buy it, our patrons will have to wait at LEAST 3 months before they can even request it.
-All E-resources will be cancelled. For a complete list please see here https://sgclib.org/catalog/
-All Books will have to be purchased through our library distributor because our processing budget will be eliminated. This means that as we run our of processing supplies we will no longer be able to cover donated books. Thereby making them wear out quicker.
-Our Program line item is completely zeroed out. This means that any programs we host will have to be supported with donations, if a sponsor cannot be found then a fee will be charged to cover the costs.(At the present time we have charged for 1 program over the last 5 years and that was to cover our costs because supplies were a bit expensive and we did not have enough time to secure a sponsor)
-We will no longer be able to repair items that break. (Service Plans on things like the Beam will be cancelled) so as things break they will stay broke until we can get a donation to repair it or money is found else ware in the budget. Our very popular Tree Friend in the Library has had to be repaired twice in a year and a half!
-Our self checkout machine will be discontinued
-Following up on lost items will be difficult because we will only be able to email because we will no longer have the budget for postage.
-Money can be found in the budget if our legal battle comes to an end with Holcim. That money, can be used else ware. However, if more action is required and we are required to pay more that will mean further cuts to an already thin budget. (More than likely this will come from our book line item)

In 2016, we made the bold decision to part ways with Ozark Regional, responding to our residents' frustrations with limited services, reduced hours, and a struggling collection. Despite immediate challenges, we've spent the last five years transforming the library's role in the community. Instead of saying, "That won't work here," we've embraced the attitude of "Why not?"—and it’s paying off. No longer tied to serving multiple counties, we now have the freedom to create a library that truly reflects the needs and dreams of Ste. Genevieve. With a clear Strategic Plan in place, we’re focused on building the library our community deserves. Libraries are not one-size-fits-all; they are tailored to the communities they serve. With determination and trust, we can build the library we’ve always envisioned!

If you still have questions we welcome them. You can reach out to our Library Director Shawn Long at [email protected] or call at 573-883-3358 for any questions you may have!

As questions come in we will expand this FAQ. Our goal is to inform our residents fully on what Prop L is trying to accomplish.