Beginning February 27, the Christian County Library will offer free monthly writing workshops in grades five through eight. Susan Atteberry Smith will be conducting the four workshops. Finding ideas for writing and poetry - writing poetry will be the focus of the first session. Other kinds of creative writing will be explored in March, April and May. Seating is limited to 15 participants so registration is required. You may call, fax, or email the Christian County Library for more details or to register. Please contact Lucinda Dailey or Taneesa Hall.
Phone: 417-581-2432
Fax: 417-581-8855
Email: info@christiancounty.lib.mo.us
Click Here to register online
FAQ Question of the Week
Q. What about repairing, remodeling and enlarging the existing location?
A. The 1972 building replaced the crowded, deteriorated original 1956 library in a former livery stable just off the Ozark square. It greatly improved library service to the then 15,000 county residents. In 2002, surveys, focus groups, panel discussions and consultants began to study ways to update and improve library services for the population now estimated at 75,000. Reusing the current building would disrupt library services for at least two years as the two story addition was built, then the original structure gutted and rebuilt. Upgrading the 1972 building, without an increase in funding, would consume all savings to create a larger building which the district could not then afford to operate. The limitations of the existing building would complicate a library design. An adequate building size, necessary parking, and setbacks to comply with code to allow an occupancy permit could not fit on the current lot. The county library’s location would still not be centrally located to serve Ozark, Highlandville, Selmore, McCracken, Fremont Hills, and Nixa, requiring a separate, equal building to serve some locations. County citizens clearly preferred improvement for all. Seventy-seven percent of residents in surveys preferred the three-library option over the two library or the most expensive four library options which might have included a renovation of the 1972 building. Convenience, fairness and costs are primary reasons for residents’ decision.
A. The 1972 building replaced the crowded, deteriorated original 1956 library in a former livery stable just off the Ozark square. It greatly improved library service to the then 15,000 county residents. In 2002, surveys, focus groups, panel discussions and consultants began to study ways to update and improve library services for the population now estimated at 75,000. Reusing the current building would disrupt library services for at least two years as the two story addition was built, then the original structure gutted and rebuilt. Upgrading the 1972 building, without an increase in funding, would consume all savings to create a larger building which the district could not then afford to operate. The limitations of the existing building would complicate a library design. An adequate building size, necessary parking, and setbacks to comply with code to allow an occupancy permit could not fit on the current lot. The county library’s location would still not be centrally located to serve Ozark, Highlandville, Selmore, McCracken, Fremont Hills, and Nixa, requiring a separate, equal building to serve some locations. County citizens clearly preferred improvement for all. Seventy-seven percent of residents in surveys preferred the three-library option over the two library or the most expensive four library options which might have included a renovation of the 1972 building. Convenience, fairness and costs are primary reasons for residents’ decision.
FAQ Question of the Week
Q. Why is the current allowable eight point seven five cents collected rate stated on the April ballot when the voted twenty cent voted rate was mentioned on the November ballot?
A. Several years ago, the library received an Attorney General opinion that ballot issues must state the voted levy amount on ballots seeking a levy increase. The collected rate may change annually, including after the ballot is certified, but the most recent voted rate remains the same until voters change it. That opinion, followed on the November ballot, was a completely legitimate and legal option. Since then, our bond attorney’s search of current laws revealed no statutory requirement to state the voted rate. Senate Bill 711, a wide-ranging Missouri property tax law passed in 2008, is still being interpreted. Both SB711 and the public opinion survey favor mentioning the collected rate, even though it is flexible and changing. That is the wording on the April 2010 ballot. Like the November 2009 ballot, the wording is a completely legitimate and legal option. Although we explained the difference in voted and collected rates at every opportunity, we hope this will be clearer to voters.
A. Several years ago, the library received an Attorney General opinion that ballot issues must state the voted levy amount on ballots seeking a levy increase. The collected rate may change annually, including after the ballot is certified, but the most recent voted rate remains the same until voters change it. That opinion, followed on the November ballot, was a completely legitimate and legal option. Since then, our bond attorney’s search of current laws revealed no statutory requirement to state the voted rate. Senate Bill 711, a wide-ranging Missouri property tax law passed in 2008, is still being interpreted. Both SB711 and the public opinion survey favor mentioning the collected rate, even though it is flexible and changing. That is the wording on the April 2010 ballot. Like the November 2009 ballot, the wording is a completely legitimate and legal option. Although we explained the difference in voted and collected rates at every opportunity, we hope this will be clearer to voters.
FAQ Question of the week
Q. When will the library issue appear on the ballot, and what will it say?
A. Trustees of the Christian County Library District voted unanimously on December 18, 2009 to submit to the voters of the Christian County Library District at the April 6, 2010 election a proposal to increase the current Christian County Library levy to twenty-five cents for the purposes of constructing and operating libraries to serve the entire county. It was submitted to the Christian County Clerk’s office immediately after a special meeting of the Library Board on January 15, 2010 to discuss ballot wording. It will read:
OFFICIAL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTION CHRISTIAN COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
Shall the assessed valuation for the Christian County Library District be increased to
$0.25 per hundred dollars assessed valuation from the currently collected rate of
$0.0875 per hundred dollars assessed valuation?
0 Yes
0 No
For the full list of Frequently Asked Questions please Click Here
A. Trustees of the Christian County Library District voted unanimously on December 18, 2009 to submit to the voters of the Christian County Library District at the April 6, 2010 election a proposal to increase the current Christian County Library levy to twenty-five cents for the purposes of constructing and operating libraries to serve the entire county. It was submitted to the Christian County Clerk’s office immediately after a special meeting of the Library Board on January 15, 2010 to discuss ballot wording. It will read:
OFFICIAL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTION CHRISTIAN COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
Shall the assessed valuation for the Christian County Library District be increased to
$0.25 per hundred dollars assessed valuation from the currently collected rate of
$0.0875 per hundred dollars assessed valuation?
0 Yes
0 No
For the full list of Frequently Asked Questions please Click Here
February Movie Day
We will be showing "Enchanted" In Celebration of Valentines Day.
A classic Disney fairytale lands in modern-day New York City when a storybook princess is thrust into present day Manhattan by an evil queen. Her prince follows after to rescue her but her journey causes her to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer.
Refreshments will be served. The movies shown will vary each month in subject matter and target audience. Please call Lucinda Dailey @ 581-2432 or email info@christiancounty.lib.mo.us for details.
Try Again
The Christian County Library will be placing a levy issue on the ballot April 6, 2010. If the levy passes, CCL will be able to improve its services to Christian County.
Movie Day @ Your Library
Beginning in January, the Christian County Library will be hosting “Movie Day @ Your Library” the fourth Saturday of each month at 1pm. Refreshments will be served. The movies shown will vary each month in subject matter and target audience. Please call Lucinda Dailey @ 581-2432 or email info@christiancounty.lib.mo.us for details.
January 23, 2010 @ 1 pm we will be showing “Alice in Wonderland” in celebration of Lewis Carroll’s birthday.
January 23, 2010 @ 1 pm we will be showing “Alice in Wonderland” in celebration of Lewis Carroll’s birthday.
Christian County announced today that the winners of the Fall Basket drawing are Adam Fellner and Kathy Withrow.
Adam is a sixth grade student at Ozark Upper Elementary. He participates in Scouts and AWANA. He likes baseball, basketball, and reading good books.
Adam is pictured here with his father, Karl Feliner, who says his son is “a great kid.”
Kathy has been accepted at Missouri Science of Technology in Rolla and looks forward to studying aerospace engineering after graduation.
She is excited about the proposal of three new libraries because there will be more books and a greater library.
The baskets for the Christmas Holiday will be on Display at
For more information regarding how you can enter, contact Christian Count y Library at 417-581-2432.
TIME FOR THANKS From: Mabel Phillips, Director, Christian County Library
November 3, a small Christian County voter turnout narrowly rejected a long-overdue, citizen-produced plan to bring Christian County Library services to near state average. Without funding, convenient, modern libraries cannot happen at this time. From the effort, debts of gratitude remain due and payable.
Hundreds of Christian County citizens participated in mail and telephone surveys and community forums during the six years of resident input into the library improvement proposal.
The State of Missouri and the Missouri State Library approved planning grants to produce the strategic plan and provided training in LibrisDesign, a software to project needs and costs of future libraries. Dr. Mark Ellickson of Opinion Research Specialists arranged, conducted, analyzed and reported on public surveys and forums. Carol Grimes served as a consultant to create several scenarios for improved Christian County libraries, of which the three-library plan was preferred by over seventy percent of a random sampling of citizens.
Springfield-Greene County Library District, MoDOT, OTC, the cities and school districts of Ozark and Nixa, county building and planning and zoning departments, engineers, investment experts, and interested citizens generously gave their knowledge, experience and advice in a valuable panel discussion on the library's situation, future possibilities, site selection, and making choices always in the best interest of citizens.
For a decision on their vote, many residents asked to know where libraries would be located and what they would look like. Thom G. Field, and later Paul White, of Neale and Newman actively worked with the library on site acquisition and provided legal services for real estate and professional services contracts. Owners of three proposed library sites each sold well-located land below appraised market value. Todd Hensley and the People's Bank of Clever, Scott and Naomi Bilyeu of Ozark and Lindel R. Lipes of Sparta individually and collectively provided sites where citizens' vision of better county libraries could become reality. Clever, Ozark and Sparta and Christian County staff worked hard to perfect the deeds, get building sites properly approved, and provide invaluable help in advisory and cooperative capacities. Sparta and Mr. Lipes even offered to share costs to bring an access road up to code.
Michael Sapp, James Stufflebeam and Eric Street of Sapp Design Associates, Architects; engineers Fred Palmerton with Palmerton and Parrish, Inc. and Jared Rasmussen and other Olsson Associates personnel; Aaron Austin of Austin Land Surveying, LLC; National Valuation Services of Springfield, Inc., and Bryan Cox of Engineers Reprographics prepared for sites and libraries where modern and convenient information and community services could be provided to Christian County.
Bond counsel Carson Elliff with Yates, Mauck, Bohrer, Elliff & Fels, P. C.; underwriters Julie Portman and Richard Han, with Edward Jones and Christian County Edward Jones staff, including Patrick Morrison were ready to finance improved library services.
Christian County Commission; Springfield-Greene County Library District personnel who hoped to show Christian County residents what support for local library services could provide to Missouri citizens who choose it for themselves; current and past members of the Board of Trustees of the Christian County Library; Friends of the Christian County Library; Friends of Clever Public Library; Christian County Library staff; members of the SUCCEED - Support Christian County Education and Enhancement through library Development; Richwood and Ozarks Technical Community College administration; and the LIFE - Library Improvements For Everyone Campaign committee and many who contributed money, time and effort to the committee gave moral support, encouragement and a lot of hard work toward providing county residents with the robust and thriving library services residents request and need.
Christian County voters’ community pride, love and respect for future county residents and understanding of the opportunities uniquely available right now in the bargain rates of both building and financing led them to support at the polls what would have been truly community, life quality and Library Improvements For Everyone.
Its Thanksgiving. For all those listed above who understood and cared about what Library Improvements For Everyone meant for Christian County, we are deeply grateful. Thank You!
Hundreds of Christian County citizens participated in mail and telephone surveys and community forums during the six years of resident input into the library improvement proposal.
The State of Missouri and the Missouri State Library approved planning grants to produce the strategic plan and provided training in LibrisDesign, a software to project needs and costs of future libraries. Dr. Mark Ellickson of Opinion Research Specialists arranged, conducted, analyzed and reported on public surveys and forums. Carol Grimes served as a consultant to create several scenarios for improved Christian County libraries, of which the three-library plan was preferred by over seventy percent of a random sampling of citizens.
Springfield-Greene County Library District, MoDOT, OTC, the cities and school districts of Ozark and Nixa, county building and planning and zoning departments, engineers, investment experts, and interested citizens generously gave their knowledge, experience and advice in a valuable panel discussion on the library's situation, future possibilities, site selection, and making choices always in the best interest of citizens.
For a decision on their vote, many residents asked to know where libraries would be located and what they would look like. Thom G. Field, and later Paul White, of Neale and Newman actively worked with the library on site acquisition and provided legal services for real estate and professional services contracts. Owners of three proposed library sites each sold well-located land below appraised market value. Todd Hensley and the People's Bank of Clever, Scott and Naomi Bilyeu of Ozark and Lindel R. Lipes of Sparta individually and collectively provided sites where citizens' vision of better county libraries could become reality. Clever, Ozark and Sparta and Christian County staff worked hard to perfect the deeds, get building sites properly approved, and provide invaluable help in advisory and cooperative capacities. Sparta and Mr. Lipes even offered to share costs to bring an access road up to code.
Michael Sapp, James Stufflebeam and Eric Street of Sapp Design Associates, Architects; engineers Fred Palmerton with Palmerton and Parrish, Inc. and Jared Rasmussen and other Olsson Associates personnel; Aaron Austin of Austin Land Surveying, LLC; National Valuation Services of Springfield, Inc., and Bryan Cox of Engineers Reprographics prepared for sites and libraries where modern and convenient information and community services could be provided to Christian County.
Bond counsel Carson Elliff with Yates, Mauck, Bohrer, Elliff & Fels, P. C.; underwriters Julie Portman and Richard Han, with Edward Jones and Christian County Edward Jones staff, including Patrick Morrison were ready to finance improved library services.
Christian County Commission; Springfield-Greene County Library District personnel who hoped to show Christian County residents what support for local library services could provide to Missouri citizens who choose it for themselves; current and past members of the Board of Trustees of the Christian County Library; Friends of the Christian County Library; Friends of Clever Public Library; Christian County Library staff; members of the SUCCEED - Support Christian County Education and Enhancement through library Development; Richwood and Ozarks Technical Community College administration; and the LIFE - Library Improvements For Everyone Campaign committee and many who contributed money, time and effort to the committee gave moral support, encouragement and a lot of hard work toward providing county residents with the robust and thriving library services residents request and need.
Christian County voters’ community pride, love and respect for future county residents and understanding of the opportunities uniquely available right now in the bargain rates of both building and financing led them to support at the polls what would have been truly community, life quality and Library Improvements For Everyone.
Its Thanksgiving. For all those listed above who understood and cared about what Library Improvements For Everyone meant for Christian County, we are deeply grateful. Thank You!
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