A tax renewal for public libraries in Iberia Parish failed over the weekend. While some view it as a symptom of the cultural battle over libraries others view the current system as bloated and in need of change.
The sole tax that funds all public libraries in Iberia Parish, which would have generated an estimated $2.8 million yearly, failed at the polls with 53% of voters saying no to the renewal.
The future of libraries in the parish might appear to be shaky ground following the failure but will likely have another chance at renewing the funding source in the November general election.
Former Iberia Parish Library Director Carla Hostetter believes the tax failed on three fronts: lack of outreach by the library to inform voters, dismally low voter turnout, and a demonization of public libraries seen around the country.
The low voter turnout is certainly true, with only 13% of registered voters deciding the fate of new taxes and renewals. Not as glamorous as a presidential or even mid-term election, the April 27 vote failed to activate people, Hostetter said.
She hopes increased voter turnout in a general election will help pass the renewal if it's on the ballot in November.
"That's usual for boring things like this. But now it's not boring. Now you can lose your entire library system," Hostetter said.
If the renewal does not pass in November, libraries in Iberia Parish would operate on their remaining cash until they are forced to close every branch, Hostetter said.
"Considering they have seven branches, 50 employees, and umpteen computers to take care of. Nothing has gotten cheaper in the last 10 years," Hostetter said. "Now you have no money. The library pays for its utilities, its own water. You have to lock the doors and hope nothing deteriorates."
Public libraries have faced criticism and scrutiny in recent years in Lafayette and around the country, Hostetter said. She feels the cultural battle facing libraries played a role in the tax failure.
"I know in the case with Lafayette there were people who organized in St. Martinville and crusaded against it even though they weren't in the parish," Hostetter said.
Some, like former Iberia Parish councilmember Paul Landry and New Iberia resident Robert Richard feel like the library system as it stands today is bloated and in need of change.
Richard and Landry agreed that the library system has too much cash on hand to justify a tax renewal. While both agree the library deserves funding, the tax burden on residents should reflect the actual money needed to operate.
The Iberia Parish Library had $6.9 million in fund balances, according to a 2021 audit. A public records request for 2023 fund balances has yet to be received.
"(The library) really needs to take the time and let the council members listen to the constituents and see what kind of library they want." Landry said. "We're not here to tax the people just to put it in the bank."
Richard said that smaller branches in Lydia and Parkview need to be closed while other locations can upgrade their facilities with newer technology, improved programming, and better meeting spaces.
As far as access, Landry suggested shuttling residents into New Iberia and back home would be far more cost-effective than keeping smaller branches open.
"I'm not against libraries," Richard said. "I want them to be stronger and bring more people in. It's frustrating when you pass by these million-dollar buildings with nobody there."
Parish President M. Larry Richard said he understood the concern of residents after the tax failed but said he was confident that eventually a new tax proposal will come up that better reflects what residents are willing to pay.
The library has operated on a reduced millage for at least 10 years, M. Larry Richard said. Before this recent renewal, residents paid a six-mill tax toward the library, but the library only received 4.5 mills while still increasing their fund balance. The 2024 renewal was decreased to 4.5 mills. If it passed, the parish council planned to reduce the amount the library received even lower so the library could begin to eat into its fund balances.
"A lot of people that I was talking to were stating the fact that they had a pretty large fund balance that they'd like to see reduced...When they did see that large fund balance, they thought (the library was) receiving too much money. I kind of agree with them," M. Larry Richard said.
"We are thankful for those who came out and supported us on Election Day. We believe our supporters will be even more vocal next time we are on the ballot, which will hopefully be in November," Erica Romero, community relations coordinator for Iberia Parish Libraries, wrote. "Despite the wording on the proposition, we are definitely not going to build any additional buildings. We plan to use the millage to operate and maintain the seven buildings we currently have."
Libraries play an important role in the community, Hostetter said. Beyond books, they are places for students without access to the internet to do homework, for elderly residents to go online, and for community groups to hold meetings. They can be even more important for rural communities that are more likely to lack access to high-speed internet, Hostetter said.
That's something she feels the library needs to make sure residents know before another vote is held.
"They put up a little flyer and they had a few yard signs a couple of weeks before the election, which was not enough. I don't think that will happen again."