We really don’t like paying taxes. Who does? But we know that taxes provide the things we enjoy as citizens of our great nation. Taxes are important. They fund paved roads, fire and police services, along with libraries and schools, just to name a few.
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library Board is asking that we pay just a little bit more in millage tax — 3 more mills, to be exact — each year to fund construction of a new $14 million, state-of-the-art library in downtown Pine Bluff. The 3 mills would also fund renovations to the Watson Chapel Branch.
Additionally, county voters are being asked to hike their library millage rates by 0.25 mills. The county initiative will pay for renovations at the Altheimer, White Hall and Redfield library branches.
The 3-mill increase for Pine Bluff residents would cost just $45 a year, based on a typical home value of between $75,000 and $100,000. In the county, it would be around $4 per year.
Let’s face facts. The current library is old and outdated. It passed its prime many years ago. The basement often floods, and the wiring isn’t good. Libraries are places where young children can read and discover worlds far beyond them. They are places where adults can use computers to apply for jobs and learn more about continuing their education.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
At our current main library, expanding technology isn’t possible, according to interim director Taylor Eubank. The electrical system is just too old. As we make our way toward the middle of the 21st century, technologically advanced libraries will be a must in order for a community to thrive. Isn’t that what we all want for Pine Bluff? Growth and a thriving community?
Up-to-date libraries benefit communities in so many ways. Take Little Rock, for example. When the Central Arkansas Library System decided to move their headquarters to the River Market in the late 1990s, that area was almost as derelict as downtown Pine Bluff. In fact, it was a warehouse district. The moniker “River Market” came later.
The new library sparked a rebirth, and the same thing could happen in Pine Bluff, we believe.
Pine Bluff mayor-elect, Shirley Washington also supports the library tax. She said recently that “libraries are one of the community’s most valuable resources, our children deserve the best, this new library promises to serve our future for generations to come.”
Former Pine Bluff Alderwoman Irene Holcomb has also been outspoken for a new library as well. At a recent ceremony announcing expanded hours at the Altheimer branch, Holcomb, who is from Altheimer, called the library a springboard for success. Holcomb said it has been the basis for people to succeed in education, literature, medicine, civil rights, art, politics, science, business and music. She envisions that success to continue in Altheimer.
“There is a possibility that a Nobel Prize winner could come from this community,” Holcomb said, eliciting “amens” from several people. “Even greater people will come right out of this community. This library will certainly be an asset.”
Holcomb said the Altheimer Library is the only educational institution north of the Arkansas River in Jefferson County.
You can’t go wrong with a yes vote for the future of our children. Vote yes for the libraries.