Lib Politics Rodeo March 17, 2014

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

Congratulations to the Gilmanton (NH) Library. Last week, voters narrowly passed a measure for $52,500 to fund the library operations for next year. Since opening in 2009 the library has had to get its funding approved annually. Last year residents voted down the funding and the library was able to stay open by doing its own fundraising. This year the library would have had to close if they did not get the funding approved. The library association is working on a plan to make the library funding part of the town’s budget.

On April 1st residents will vote on an annual tax levy to fund the operating budget of the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick (NY). Monroeville (PA) will have a library measure on the May 20th ballot for a dedicated tax to fund the Monroeville Public Library. The 1-mill tax will generate about 2.3 million annually. This would be an increase to the $1 million in annual funding the library gets from other local taxes.

The Bay County (MI) Board of Commissioners voted to put the library measure on the November ballot despite requests from the Library board to put it on the August primary ballot. In the March 3rd Rodeo we reported incorrectly that the 6 year millage renewal was already on the August 5th ballot. The County Board of Commissioners feel that the November ballot will have a higher voter turnout than the August primary election. However, a second chance for the measure in 2014 will be lost if it does not pass.

We have announced the first 10 campaigns we would like to support in 2014 and we need your help. Your donations can help secure $38.8 million in stable tax money for these libraries. Donate today.