BATON ROUGE - A crucial vote is coming up for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System as voters are asked to renew a tax that's been around for 20 years.

The current tax costs the average resident about $100 a year, and it has served the library system well to keep it afloat with a healthy budget surplus. If the tax isn't renewed, some of the expanded services could be retracted.

If the property tax is renewed in the October election, the money will go toward maintaining the current services the libraries in the parish currently offer.

"Genealogy, reference services, assistance with résumé, and the best part is it's available to anybody that lives in the parish," said Lucy Parham, who said she plans to vote to renew the tax.

According to the EBRPL website, hours and services run the risk of getting cut if the tax is not renewed.

Spencer Watts, the director of EBRPL, told News 2 that over the next 10 years, they hope to make some even greater strides toward continuing to improve the system, and the renewal will only help that.

"We have 7 capital projects where we want to expand and improve libraries," said Watts.

Those who oppose the renewal of the tax aren't so convinced.

"I'd rather see it go to something like the mental health facility," said Dwight Hudson, with the Taxbusters organization.

To see a list of rates based off cost of homes in the parish, click here.