For more than two decades, the Provo City Library at Academy Square has provided countless opportunities for reading, learning, education and the discovery of new books and authors, among a variety of other resources. With modern technology, members are able to enjoy streaming services and a space to explore their talents in audio and visual content creation.

Maintaining the 90,000-square-foot facility is no easy financial feat. Since 2001, when the library opened at its current location, it has essentially operated on the same budget despite rising costs related to housing and inflation.

Around 87% of the library’s annual budget comes through a dedicated portion of property tax.

Earlier this year, Library Director Carla Gordon asked the Provo City Council to consider a property tax increase due to an $800,000 shortfall.

The library has been dipping into its savings for over a decade to fill the gaps, according to Gordon. “We started running on a deficit, using our savings account or surplus to balance our budget, but always knowing that at some point that was going to run out, and we would have to ask for more money at some point,” she told Daily Herald.

In 2023, library staff went to the council to ask for their first tax rate increase in 20 years. The council approved it and initially slated it as a modest increase over the next five years.

However, after recent library needs and upgrades depleted their savings, Gordon said, funding to cover expenses remains scarce.

What funding does the Provo library need?

The library board is asking for a budget increase for fiscal year 2025 of $450,000. The Daily Herald reported in June that the city council voted in favor of holding a truth-in-taxation hearing set for Tuesday, Aug. 13, to further discuss and make a motion on the proposal.

How would the tax rate increase impact Provo residents?

If the city council approved the tax boost for the library, it would mean 2.6% increase, amounting to just shy of $12 extra per year on a home valued at $482,000. A business valued at the same amount would pay an additional $21.69 per year.

What happens if the tax increase is not approved?

The library has already made cuts to various services and delayed pay increases for part-time employees, which shaved some of the expenses off its deficit. If the city council votes against the tax increase, the library would be faced with the tough decision of cutting the requested amount from its expenses to make up for the shortfall. This could result in reducing staff, library hours and current services.

“There will probably be layoffs, and the only way to make that work is to lower our operating hours, because we have this beautiful building, but it’s basically seven floors in two different buildings, and you have to have enough staff to cover all of your desks and everything,” Gordon said.

Some nontraditional services like the attic art exhibit, creative lab and some outreach programs may also temporarily go away.

What are community members saying:

During the public comment period at a late June council meeting, resident Benjamin Weinheimer said the library is a gem in the community and referenced how upset his daughters were when they heard some of the services could be in jeopardy.

“To hear my two youngest children talk about how important the library is to them, and to hear them horrified that just because costs keep going up, there might be some things that need to be cut. That made me show up to a city council meeting for the first time in my life,” Weinheimer said to the council.

During the same meeting, resident Emily Sorensen also praised resources offered at the library. “I’m in favor of giving the library whatever it wants. So, please vote in support of the library, it is one of the most magnificent jewels in the best city I have ever been in,” she said.

Carla Gordon also recognizes some citizens may feel differently; tacking on additional costs to those already in a financial crunch could be met with opposition. “They’re getting hit by the school district. They’re getting hit from, you know, Provo City in other ways, and the districts and all of these things. Like, everybody’s always asking for more money, but the library hasn’t asked much in the last 20 years,” she said.

Nonetheless, she hopes citizens feel like they can value the library and recognize its commitment to the community.

The city council will vote on the matter Tuesday night in a public hearing where citizens can voice their concerns or support for the tax hike.

Residents can attend the meeting in person beginning at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at 445 W. Center Street or by streaming it on youtube.com/provocitycouncil or facebook.com/provocouncil.

Newsletter