Staying Thrifty Because It's Nifty at Palatine Library

Staying Thrifty Because It's Nifty at Palatine Library

by Maria Galo 52.40sc on February 27, 2019

Palatine Library is seeking a modest tax increase this April.

The Library's operating tax rate was set in 1975--long enough for
residents to be lulled into taking the Library for granted. Fun facts:

• Palatine Library District (more than 88,000 people) is the second largest library district in the northwest suburbs, after Schaumburg's library district (nearly 127,000 people).
• Palatine Library has the lowest revenues per person of all the northwest suburbs--$74.87 per person.
• Compare that with Arlington Heights' library (third largest) which receives $190.98 per person in revenue. Schaumburg Library gets $123.86 per person in revenues per year.
• All the surrounding libraries get over $100 per person in revenues -- except Palatine.
• If the referendum passes, Palatine will still be the lowest-funded library: the per-person revenue will go up to $92.67.

It's been more than 25 years since it built its Main Library, hidden
in an office park behind a curve in Northwest Highway. The roof,
ventilation and lighting are all wearing out, and repairs are expected
to cost $5.8 million. Wages and material costs keep going up. The new
tax rate would add about $52 per year to the average homeowner's tax
bill. Will residents start taking pride in their Library? Vote Yes to
for Palatine Library on April 2!

Visit us at our website: http://www.voteyespalatinelibr...

Join us/Volunteer to help us raise awareness: https://www.voteyespalatinelib...