MATTOON - The Mattoon Library wants to expand its tax base in a big way.

An effort to convert from a citywide library to a district library for taxing purposes was approved by the Mattoon Library Board on Monday night.

The district could include unincorporated areas around Mattoon as well as rural areas in Lafayette, Paradise, Pleasant Grove and North Okaw townships. A referendum to create a Mattoon Library District could go before voters next year.

Jennifer Cisna, who is completing her tenure as the library director, said expansion to a library district via referendum could bring more to library services. She has been advocating the change for years.

"First and foremost, people who now have to pay for nonresident cards will now be taxed for library services annually so they won't be nonresidents anymore," Cisna said. "Also, it will mean a lot more money if it passes - money for staff, more money for books, more money for building improvements."

The library now bases its tax on city limits only and last year drew in $400,000 from city taxpayers. Cisna said the library has no estimate on how much more tax money could come from district status. But the library does need money to expand its services and staff.

But she emphasized that for some nonresidents the conversion to a library district could produce a savings in the long run. The nonresident charge for a library card is now $45 and on average the increase in taxes could be less for out-of-town users of the library.

"What we are aiming for is bringing them into a library district," Cisna said.

The library board said the referendum would go to voters sometime in 2009 - possibly during the spring municipal elections. Informational meetings will be scheduled in the future to inform taxpayers on the advantages of the conversion.

Herb Meeker can be reached at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.