The library gets an annual $2,736 of levy funds from the City of Albion. Now in the same boat as the Marshalltown Public Library, the library might lose those funds due to the passage of House File 718 (HF718).

Passed by the Iowa Legislature earlier this year, HF718 is a $100 million property tax cut that consolidates city levies into the general funds, meaning the city council could decide to allocate it for other uses if it chooses. Albion Librarian Hanna Karim said the loss, even though small compared to Marshalltown, would mean some programs will have to be cut.

“It’s definitely not the amount of money some of the larger libraries are losing, but we lose a huge chunk of our programming and our ability to keep the building open and lights on,” she said. “We rely on it.”

Karim is already thinking of ways to make up for the loss. Fundraising is already something that makes up 50 percent of the library’s budget, she said.

Librarian Hanna Karim places returned books on a shelf in the childrens’ area of the Albion Municipal Library on Thursday. The library is facing the potential loss of levy funding due to House File 718.

“I’m always looking at grant opportunities or any way I can get donations,” Karim said. “It’s unfortunate to have to make up that much more money, but we are always looking at grants, donations and talking to people about what we can do for the community, and how it’s important.”

Karim foresees two primary reactions from Albion residents if the cuts are made.

“One is that we explain the situation and they understand,” she said. “Ideally they will support us at our local government level, but I think a lot of people will quickly forget the services we offer if it has to go away. That would be too bad, because I’ve seen the community improve.”

Focusing on attracting more people to come through the doors, Karim has brought a variety of programs and activities to appeal to all age ranges. For the most part, it worked. In the last year, the number of social media followers grew by 100. There were also 2,850 people who walked through the door — six times the population of Albion.

The additional programs mean the library is open longer hours, and on Saturdays, taking into effect some children can only attend on the weekends. One of the Saturday programs, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), would have to go, Karim said.

“We, and several other Marshall County libraries, are working with the Jewels Academy to provide STEM programming to rural Marshall County,” she said. “Material costs and staffing would have to be cut, and we would rely purely on potential grant funding for additional programming.”

The late night programs, such as trivia nights and Paint n’ Sips, held to account for residents getting off work, would also be on the chopping block.

“Some of the community-building things that really bring people together, we wouldn’t be able to staff, or do anything extra to give back,” Karim said. “I think that’s why people voted for the tax in the first place — they wanted it to go back into the community.”

She said the Albion residents already decided they wanted to take that money and dedicate it to the library quite a few years ago. Karim said the first librarian started working there in 1982, and was able to recall the resident-approved vote.

Karim was also hoping to provide a part-time library internship for a local teenager during the summer, but the city might not support it.

“The library tax levy will be part of the general fund, and we might not have access to it despite the citizens voting to support us,” she said.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.