about
The Wilkinson Public Library is the crown jewel of Telluride. In 2018 it became the only Colorado library and one of only 10 public libraries nationally to receive Library Journal’s Five Star Ranking 11-years in a row.
Our library has the highest per capita visits, second highest circulation, and program attendance in Colorado.
There’s virtually no population group that isn’t served by the exceptional Wilkinson Public Library — from babies and children to our elders for everything from Story Time and youth cooking classes to board meetings, tutoring sessions, community classes and more!
On November 5 the San Miguel Public Library District is asking voters to authorize a .75 mill levy increase, which translates to $5.36 per $100,000 of assessed home value. This increase will provide for a sustainable, long term investment in the public library.
the need
This is the first time the San Miguel Public Library District has asked for a mill levy increase since 1997.
Throughout the past 22 years, the Board of Trustees and staff at the Wilkinson Public Library have made great efforts to find efficiencies in its budget, while also continually growing its role in the community, in terms of services provided, number of people served and extraordinary access to modern technology.
The library paid off the bond in 2017 and retired the 0.8 mill levy that funded the facility. In order to remain within budget with decreased revenues, staffing has been reduced by 25%.
It’s time to update our community’s commitment to the library! And dollars make a difference!
Your Taxes
How will this tax increase affect my property taxes?
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​
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$100,000.00
$400,000.00
$500,000.00
$1,000,000.00
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$5.36
$21.44
$26.80
$53.60
​
$0.45
$1.78
$2.23
$4.47
Home Market Value
Added Yearly Cost
Added Monthly Cost
What Does 6A Support?
access
Secure access to the nearly 700 people who visit the library every day of the week!
kids
Youth services offers early literacy activities (like Story Time for toddlers and Paws for Reading) and other special programs (like Kids Cook, Friday Trivia and I Heart Art) seven days a week.
materials
Patrons checked out over 200,000 books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, CD's, digital items, and "unusual items" like Telluride Townie Bikes, fishing poles, keyboards and sewing machines. That's 13.6 items per cardholder!
programs
Over 29,000 people attended 1,387 youth, adult, and teen programs. And all library events are free!
space
The 20,000 square foot 19-year-old building is well used and requires continuing maintenance and improvements.
money
This is a tax increase of .75 mills, which translates to $5.36 per $100,000 of assessed home value. This is the first time the library has asked for a mill levy increase in 22 years.
people
The Wilkinson Public Library provides quality employment opportunities for over 20 full-time employees.
All library use statistics are from 2018.