Debby Mayer is reporting in The Columbia Paper voters in Germantown will be asked November 3 to approve a referendum to increase funding to the Germantown Library. The library is seeking an annual increase of $30,000, to $88,000 per year, which would result in a tax of $45 per year for Germantown residents. With her presentation to the town board last month, library Board of Trustrees president Katherine Overington began the public campaign for the increase. She said the library's so-called guaranteed revenue, which is derived from property taxes, covers only half of the library's expenses. And, Overington said, costs have increased: For the building, utilities, books, media and technology. And it is no longer possible to staff the library with volunteers. “Core functions require trained staff,” she said. Volunteers still work in the library, but they are paired with trained staff. The library will hold two open houses for voters to see the building and discuss the funding proposal 3 p.m., Sun., Oct. 18, and 3 p.m., Sun., Nov. 1. DISCLOSURE: Mayer is a WGXC programmer. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.