After a decision by the library Board of Trustees, the North branch of the Hardin County Public Library closed yesterday afternoon. The decision to do away with the North Branch, located in Radcliff, is one that caught many by surprise, including Mayor J.J. Duvall
Library officials have said that one of the driving reasons behind the closure, next to usage, was the system’s financial stability, which has seen a decrease over the past several years. The question of financial stability for the Hardin County Public Library was put before the county fiscal court 2 years ago with proposal of a special taxing district to go towards the library. The idea for a special taxing district, which was voted down, is something Hardin County Judge/Executive Harry Berry says possibly could have helped.
The taxing district before the court in 2018 was 3 cents for every $100, which Berry says could’ve doubled the library’s current rate of funding.
Duvall says residents feel the removal of the location follows a pattern of removals that has plagued many services for the population in the northern end of the county
