The Dayton Metro Library system is planning to ask residents to support up to a $230 million bond issue in November.

The bond issue would support new construction and system-wide renovations, including a new main library, said Tim Kambitsch, executive director of Dayton Metro Library. The property-tax issue, which Kambitsch will recommend to the Dayton Metro Library Board of Trustees for approval, would be for less than 2 mills and spread over 25 to 30 years. The cost to the owner of a $100,000 home would be less than $60 a year. Figures are preliminary.

“This is not about buildings. It’s a plan about substantially enhancing services,” Kambitsch said.

“We think now is the time to move forward,” said Kambitsch, who presented the proposal Tuesday at a Montgomery County Commission meeting.

The plan would transition library facilities from “books and bricks” to modern community centers designed to provide traditional library services, as well as the latest technology. It calls for reducing the number of branch libraries from 20 to 16 as the result of new construction.

“We believe by implementing this plan, we’ll reduce duplicative services at small branches and save operating money,” Kambitsch said.

Four new urban branches are planned including one in northwest Dayton and parts of Harrison Twp.; West Dayton; southeast Dayton; along with a facility in the Riverside and east Dayton area north of U.S. 35. New branches also are proposed for Huber Heights and Vandalia. An estimated $110 million would be dedicated to the main library downtown.

Each of the new buildings would include: a collection of 100,000 volumes of printed books and media, such as newspapers; small group study and tutoring rooms; substantially more computers; quiet reading rooms and creative spaces for children.

Judy Golovcsenko, a member of Dayton’s Mount Vernon Neighborhood Association, said residents there are very concerned about possible closure of the Dayton View branch.

“The building is highly utilized,” Golovcsenko said. “We have lost restaurants and grocery stores. There is never a use for the empty buildings. This library is such an architectural jewel. The neighborhood really wants to keep it open.”

Branches in east Kettering, Miamisburg, Miami Twp. and Northmont (Englewood/Clayton) would undergo significant expansions. Branches serving stable or declining populations in Brookville, New Lebanon, Old North Dayton, Trotwood, West Carrollton and west Kettering would undergo renovation to make better use of existing space. All projects would begin within five years.

No decisions have been made regarding locations for the new buildings, but Kambitsch said the library is seeking community partners for possible joint ventures as a cost savings measure. Some of the district’s $11 million in capital funds could be used for property acquisition, he said.

The Dayton Daily News first reported that the library system was exploring public support for a major facilities project in July. The initial plan was to use capital funds to combine three branches, serving about 50,000 patrons, into one demonstration library. The fear, Kambitsch said, was that voters in that area would not support a bond issue for construction and renovations to other buildings in the system.

The bond issue must be filed with the Montgomery County Board of Elections by Aug. 8 to be placed on the November ballot. If approved, the tax issue would impact all Montgomery County property owners, except those in the Centerville-Washington Twp., Oakwood and the Valley View school districts, which have separate library districts.

There are an estimated 460,00 people living within the Dayton Metro Library service area. Kambitsch said about 67 percent hold library cards and one in three are frequent users, meaning they visit a library at least once a month.

The library system was last on the ballot in 2009, when more than 70 percent of the voters approved a 1.75-mill replacement property tax levy.

Community groups interested in hearing a presentation on the proposal, should call (937) 463-2665.