Referendum Information
For more than 40 years, the Bourbonnais Public Library has been a trusted community resource, providing opportunities to learn, explore, connect, and grow. Throughout that time, the Library has expanded programs, services, technology, collections, and even its facility while operating at essentially the same tax rate. This commitment to fiscal responsibility has allowed the Library to deliver exceptional value while carefully stewarding taxpayer dollars.
Today, the Library serves a growing and evolving community with changing needs and expectations. Residents rely on the Library not only for books and information, but also for technology access, educational programming, meeting spaces, children's services, workforce development resources, and lifelong learning opportunities. As demand for these services continues to increase, so do the costs of maintaining and operating the facilities and resources that make them possible.
This referendum is an investment in the future of Bourbonnais. Approval of the referendum will provide the resources needed to maintain and enhance the services residents value, address critical building and infrastructure needs, expand spaces for learning and community engagement, and ensure the Library remains financially sustainable for years to come.
A "Yes" vote will help preserve what makes the Bourbonnais Public Library special while preparing it to meet the needs of future generations. By supporting this referendum, voters can help ensure that the Library continues to be a welcoming, accessible, and vibrant destination where individuals and families can learn, connect, and thrive for decades to come.
This investment is about more than a building. It's about ensuring the Bourbonnais Public Library remains a vibrant, accessible, and indispensable resource for the community. By investing in the Library today, they can:
- Secure the Library's financial future and protect the services residents rely on.
- Preserve and improve a safe, welcoming, and accessible facility for all.
- Expand quiet spaces for reading, studying, tutoring, and independent learning.
- Enhance areas for children, teens, and families to support learning, exploration, and connection.
- Create modern, flexible spaces where community groups, nonprofits, businesses, and residents can gather and collaborate.
- Provide room for growing collections, emerging technologies, and new educational opportunities that will serve the community for years to come.
If the referendum is not approved, the Library will continue operating and serving the community as it always has. However, without additional funding, rising costs and ongoing facility needs may limit the Library's ability to maintain current service levels and invest in future improvements. Over time, this could result in:
- Reduced operating hours and access to services
- Fewer new books, materials, and technology resources
- A reduction in programs and events for children, teens, and adults
- Delays in necessary building repairs and maintenance
- Postponement of community-requested improvements and expanded services
The referendum provides an opportunity to address these challenges proactively, helping ensure the Library remains a vibrant, welcoming, and sustainable resource for the entire community for years to come.
See more FAQs answered by the Library at:
https://bourbonnaislibrary.org/referendum-info/