As a sixth grader at New Cumberland Elementary I traveled the world;, had exciting, death defying adventures,;even went undercover using the assumed name of Carla Troy ……all inside the walls of my favorite place in the world- the Swaney Memorial Library.,
As a sixth grader, I was picked by Miss Marlene Parrish, the librarian, as her student assistant. Each Wed. I would sit on the tall stool behind the checkout desk under the watchful eyes of Indians and earlier settlers in the panoramic painting by Robert Hawrot and let those books take me wherever they might go. New Cumberland night be small and confining, but through books of all kinds; my horizons expanded.
As the years went on you’d think I’d outgrow the library, but to the contrary. The library outgrew me. Mindful of the fact that as the years passed more and more people were turning to computers and Kindess. Your llibrary card suddenly could access books online even to the Library of Congress. Childrens programs mushroomed and suddenly “shhhhh” was a word non-one uttered in this alive and vibrant place. The levy will be on the May 12 ballot.
The Levy is a renewal levy so there are no new taxes. The rates are actually lower than when it was last approved in 2022 At that time, the levy included rates of 0.57 cents for class I properties; 1.14 cents for class II and 2.28 cents for class III and class IV
A 60 % majority is required for passage. In the last Levy election 5,392 Hancock County voters said yes while 3,045 said no.
The smallest county in West Virginia, Hancock is 88 square miles with 3 libraries in each incorporated cities, all funded in part through the Levy. Swaney Memorial Library sits on Court Street in New Cumberland and is named for its benefactor, Dr. Charles Swaney. A physician who grew up in New Cumberland, Swaney later changed professions and made a fortune in what would become Sharon Steel. His bequest would build the building and the interest from his stocks would provide the operating funds. Dr. Swaney, unfortunately, had invested heavily in railroad stock and the proceeds dwindled throughout he years. The last of Dr. Swaney/s funds will be used this year.
The Lynn Murray Memorial Library is located in close proximity to the AT Allison Elementary School and is named after it’s beloved principal, now deceased. Among many activities, it is home to Miss Connie’s Storyhour, a popular learning experience made even more fun by Miss Connie’s vivacious personality.
The Mary Weir Library, on Main Street in Weirton, is named after the founder of the now defunct Weirton Steel. The library is the central library under which the two smaller libraries operate.
The Library Levy provides funds based on area population. Swaney at $24.436.00 gets the smallest appropriation while Lynn Murray Memorial Library in Chester gets $27,408.00. The Mary H. Weir Library in Weirton receives $148,156.00
The Levy is set to bring in $8,482,062 through the regular levy with an anticipated $8,336,543 through $8,482,062 through the regular levy with an anticipated $8,337,543 through tax assessment26/27.
