Lib Politics Rodeo April 21, 2014
Not so great news in Anchorage (AK) this week. Proposition 3 that included a $5.5 million dollar bond for Z.J. Loussac Public Library renovations was voted down by 14 votes last week. The city (Juneau) has also put in a $10 million capitol improvement request as an alternate source of funding.
Welcome to the Lib Politics Rodeo. Every Monday we will round up the previous week’s news on library politics and highlight some of the things that we are following or reading. Here’s what we have in our lassos this week…
News
Not so great news in Anchorage (AK) this week. Proposition 3 that included a $5.5 million dollar bond for Z.J. Loussac Public Library renovations was voted down by 14 votes last week. The city (Juneau) has also put in a $10 million capitol improvement request as an alternate source of funding.
May 20th will be a day to watch for library funding. In Springdale (PA) there will be a levy on the ballot for a quarter-mill (0.25-mill) special tax to maintain and operate the library. This would raise $181,000 in the first year. Jackson County (OR) will have ballot measure 15-122 for a new library district. The district would be funded by property taxes of up to 60 cents per $1,000. Pre polling shows that 52% would votes yes. The local PAC, Libraries for All, has raised $30k for the campaign. The Cattaraugus Library (NY) will have a $500 funding increase on the ballot. The library will still need to raise $6,000 to meet budget needs for 2015.
The North Suburban Library District (IL) will have a measure on the November ballot. They will be asking voters to approve a tax extension that would keep the tax rate the same at about $74 per year. The same measure was rejected last March. If rejected again the tax would go down to $59.56 per year. This would mean shorter hours and program cuts. Also much needed maintenance such as fixing a leaky roof would be delayed.
Thank you for following the Lib Politics Rodeo. We hope you will consider supporting EveryLibrary. Your donations can help us do several great things for libraries during election time. Help us help libraries have a successful and well funded year in 2014. In 2013, every $1 we spent on campaigns helped libraries secure $1,450 at the ballot box. That is $8.75 million in stable tax revenue for library collections, programs, hours, and staff. Even $5 can go a very long way. Donate now.
That’s all for today. Join us next week for another round up. Happy trails!