In a highly debated - and very contentious - election, Lafayette Parish voters rejected the Library Tax Millage Renewal 53% - 47%.

Library Director Teresa Elberson has responded to the election results in an email below:

The Library Board of Control and the Library staff would like to thank everyone that voted in this election. We appreciate that the other millage renewals on the ballot were supported by voters and not affected by the negativity directed at ours. Although the library millage renewal failed, we want to assure our parish wide community that there are no plans to close libraries, lay off staff, or curtail service, programs or hours of operation at this time.

We will be examining our expenses and revenues as we work on next year’s budget due next month. We also hope to address many of the questions posed during this election on how funds have been spent and what plans we have moving forward.

Many patrons have asked what they can do to contribute to the library system. The best thing that you can do is use your library, take advantage of what you pay for and learn more about your property tax millages and how to properly calculate them.

You can join our support organizations: the Friends of the Lafayette Public Library or the Lafayette Public Library Foundation. Both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations contribute funds yearly toward our great programs; named endowments may also be established with the Library Foundation.

Again, thank you for all the support given to the library system since our first dedicated millage was established in 1946.

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