Seneca Public Library District

Pick up a monthly book club read each month at the circulation desk and discuss it with other library patrons.

Come out to the library and try something new this fall with one of Liz's crafts. Take and make kits available upon request. 

Need a change of scenery? Come hang out with other homeschool families at the library. Play a game, try a new craft, or simply share resources.

Q: What is the Building & Maintenance fund?

A: The Building & Maintenance amount becomes a part of the library’s building maintenance and is the portion of our budget used for maintaining the property in good working order. That amount is seen in the library’s working budget. 

Q: What is a total dollar amount for the Building & Maintenance fund and which categories does it cover? 

A: Total - $52,200.00:

•Grounds Maintenance - $3,000.00

•Maintenance & Repairs - $13,200.00

•Equipment & Technology - $21,000.00

•Service Contracts - $15,000.00

Q: What value of all taxable property within the Seneca Public Library District does it represent?

A:  Approximately .008%.

Q: What is a maximum tax rate limit for the building and maintenance tax each year?

A: .02%.

Q: What is an average amount on individual taxpayer’s bill?

A: Approximately $2.50 per year for a house appraised at about $100,000.00.

Q: How do our taxes compare to the State of Illinois?

A: They are below state average.

Q: Is this a new tax?

A: No. It was done in previous years and is the Building & Maintenance portion of the regular Budget and Appropriations. It isn’t an extra tax. 

Q: Why do we do this?

A: Legally, this is the only money that can be put into the building and maintenance budget and is the way to fund our normal expenses for the building and maintenance.

Q: What happens to unused money at the end of the fiscal year?

A:  Funds are left in the Building Fund for future use. If the Building Fund gets too large, the board would transfer money to Special Reserves for future large capital projects.

Q: What are our future plans for the money in the Building Fund?

A:  Beyond regular spending as budgeted to maintain our property in good working order; sometime in the next year or two the board also expects to need to upgrade the outdoor electronic sign, which is coming to the end of its lifespan. Also, some of our heating/air-conditioning units are near the end of their lifespans. Our building air-circulation and filtration need to be improved to current standards. 

Q: Where and when was the Public Notice of Ordinance No. 21-03 published?

A: In Morris Herald and Ottawa Times on August 26, 2021.

Q: How does a petition process work?

A: Community members need to contact the Library Board of Trustees Secretary who will obtain the petition from the library’s attorney within 24 hours.  

Q: What is the library attorney’s fee for the petition?

A: The library will be charged $200.00.

Additional resources:

ilsos.gov/departments/library/ARR/finances/taxes.html

75 ILCS 16/35-5

Need help? Submit a question through Ask-A-Librarian or call 815-357-6566.

The Seneca Public Library Board will meet at 6:30 pm in the Cultural Center of the library on 8/18/21.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting can be found here.

All are welcome to attend, and a video recording of the meeting will be posted on the library's YouTube page shortly thereafter.

Please wear a mask if planning on coming into the building, regardless of vaccination status.

The Seneca Public Library Board will meet at 6:30 pm in the Cultural Center of the library on 7/21/21.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting can be found here.

All are welcome to attend, and a video recording of the meeting will be posted on the library's YouTube page shortly thereafter.

Please wear a mask if planning on coming into the building unless fully vaccinated.

The Seneca Public Library Board Search Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. in the Cultural Center of the Seneca Public Library on Friday, May 28th, 2021.

The agenda for this meeting can be found here.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Please wear a mask if you are planning on coming into the building.