Announcing “EveryLibrary California”
EveryLibrary works to support local library communities as they campaign for new or renewed funding at the ballot box. But California libraries have an extra hurdle to clear when talking to voters.
EveryLibrary works to support local library communities as they campaign for new or renewed funding at the ballot box.
But California libraries have an extra hurdle to clear when talking to voters. It takes 66.7% of the voters to vote YES for them to win. As a library going out for a renewal of your Parcel Tax - basic funding - you can lose in California with 50% + 1, with 60%, or even 66.6% of the vote! The California Library Association has been working hard to fix that. We've talked about SCA-7, the proposed state Constitutional Amendment that would lower the threshold from 66% down to 55% for passage. CLA is lobbying in Sacramento to get SCA-7 passed and out to the voters as a Proposition. When it does, we will be there to help in a new and effective way:
ANNOUNCING EVERYLIBRARY CALIFORNIA
If you weren’t at the California Library Association Conference last week, you might not have heard that California has an organization fighting for state-wide libraries at the ballot box. EveryLibrary California is here for state-wide voter advocacy and winning funding for libraries at the state level. We firmly believe that libraries are one of the most important institutions for a sustainable democracy in this state because California libraries help our citizens grow and learn and gain the skills they need to become responsible and self-sufficient.... [MORE]
It is part of our mission to train library communities to campaign effectively. We see doing Get Out the Vote for the SCA-7 Proposition as a key part of that. EveryLibrary California is being set-up as an independent organization under California election laws. It doesn't replace what CLA is doing in Sacramento. It is being set up as the right type of legal, political organization to talk directly to voters state-wide. Patrick Sweeney is taking the lead, along with Derek Wolfgram, Mary Abler and Sam Mulford McBane as the board. They are fundraising now to build the resources needed to talk to voters statewide in November 2014. EveryLibrary (national) is making a donation. We encourage you to do the same.
As EveryLibrary California gears up, we will be on top of local elections throughout California and around the country. Your support is key to our success. Passing the SCA-7 Proposition in November 2014 will make that success so much more attainable for libraries in California for generations to come. Thanks in advance for answering the call.
EveryLibrary California Resources:
EveryLibrary California website/blog
Donate to EveryLibrary California