A new roof covers the Hagerstown Public Library, but the library’s budget can’t cover loan payments incurred for the roof and other projects.
Jennifer Taylor, the library’s current director, appeared Aug. 5 before Wayne County Council to request that council approve a bond to pay off the library’s debt. Taylor said that the previous director without the library board’s authorization signed for a $160,000 commercial loan to pay for the roof, security system updates and adding insulation where there was none.
“This debt was not included in the budget planning done by the previous director for the 2026 budget, and after paying toward the loan for the past year, the library’s budget is insufficient to pay the debt of this commercial loan,” Taylor said.
The library has paid toward the loan debt out of its operating budget, making budget cuts to accommodate the payments, Taylor said; however, even with further cuts, the payments are not sustainable.
The loan has a $153,491 payoff.
Jason Tanselle, a managing director of Baker Tilly, said the library seeks a $230,000 general obligation bond lasting six, nine or 12 years. The bond would impact tax rates for Jefferson Township residents, the only township from which the library receives funding.
The six-year bond would require a $0.0322 tax rate that would cost the owner of a home assessed at $129,700, the average in the library’s district, $15.60 each year. The nine-year tax rate of $0.0247 would cost $11.96 annually for the average homeowner, and the 12-year tax rate of $0.0206 would cost the average homeowner $9.98 each year.
Sarah Correll, a municipal finance attorney for Ice Miller, said the debt is not large enough for a referendum that would allow impacted taxpayers to vote on the bond.
The library board will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at the library, 10 W. College St., Hagerstown. The library will then return to the county council for another public hearing at 8 a.m. Sept. 2 in the Wayne County Administration Building, 401 E. Main St., Richmond. At that time, council will be asked to authorize the bond.
Hagerstown’s library was established in 1914, and the library building was constructed in 1928 with donations from Charlie and Leora Teetor.
“Our library has a long history and a vital role within our community as a source of education, entertainment and a place to find support,” Taylor said.
A version of this article will appear in the August 12 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
