Milestone bittersweet as two library branches face closure by year’s end
HENDERSON, Nev. – Henderson Libraries’ Paseo Verde branch will celebrate its 10th anniversary from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at the library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway near the 215 Beltway.
“Over the last 10 years we have given out more than 95,000 library cards, circulated more than 6 million items and hosted more than 5,000 programs. We have seen youths and teens grow into adults who love to read, and we’ve seen the unemployed find jobs using our computer resources,” said Joan Dalusung, manager of Paseo Verde Library. “It’s been a great 10 years serving the Henderson community, and we are looking forward to the next 10.”
City of Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen along with members of the city council, Henderson Libraries Board Members and directors past and present and other local dignitaries have been invited to attend. The event is open to the public as well.
This celebration comes at a bittersweet time, as Henderson Libraries is facing the possible loss of two of its locations (Malcolm Library and Galleria Library) if Henderson residents do not approve a 2 cent tax initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot.
“Celebrating Paseo Verde’s 10th anniversary should be an exciting time, but it’s hard to celebrate knowing we could be forced to say goodbye to two of our other well-loved libraries in just a few months’ time,” said Tom Fay, executive director. “The atmosphere would be much more celebratory if it weren’t for this possibility.”
The district has asked Henderson residents to vote on an ad valorem tax rate increase of 2 cents per $100 in assessed property value or $7-$10 per year for the average Henderson home owner. The last time Henderson Libraries received a tax increase was in 1991 when Henderson had less than 65,000 residents. Today, Henderson has more than 265,000 residents.
Currently, the Henderson library district receives far less than other ClarkCounty library districts, with Henderson Libraries at 5.75 cents; North Las Vegas Library at 6.32 cents; Boulder City Library at 8.55 cents; and Las Vegas Clark Co. Library District at 9.42 cents per $100 in assessed property value.
If the increase passes in the fall, the money will go toward necessary operating expenses (such as utilities, office supplies, building maintenance, etc.) and the purchase of library materials for public use. It will not be used to increase salaries, benefits or other personnel expenses.
If it does not pass, the Galleria Library and the Malcolm Library will close and the jobs associated with those branches will be lost. This would result in fewer library materials, longer wait times for current materials, reduced library hours and discontinued services.
Established in 1943 as a single library in Downtown Henderson, Henderson Libraries operates six locations throughout Henderson. Henderson Libraries cooperates with other public libraries in Southern Nevada, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Clark County School District and all other libraries around the state to provide quality service for Nevada’s residents.
For additional information on Henderson Libraries and its many services and resources, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-6581.