BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - East Baton Rouge Parish library officials are regrouping after a proposed tax that would have boosted long-term funding for the system failed at the polls, raising questions about the future of library services across the parish.

During a Library Control Board meeting Wednesday, Nov. 20, Executive Director Katrina Stokes said the setback means the system must now focus on building a new funding proposal.

“We were disappointed,” Stokes said.

Stokes said the current budget can cover salaries and projects already underway, but warned that stability beyond next year depends on securing a new tax. Without it, the system may be forced to scale back programs, reduce its materials budget and eventually shorten operating hours at multiple branches.

“We would probably n

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