Lib Politics Rodeo October 22, 2014

Welcome to the Lib Politics Rodeo. Every week 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

We're thrilled to report that the Southeast Steuben County Library won their funding measure last night  2640 Yes | 1812 No.  We worked with the staff team in Corning last year on information only campaign planning.  They lost that election and this was a must-win for the community.  Their funding and operations have been on donations for several years. Congratulations!

The Redford Township District Library (MI) will have a 1.4 mill increase on the November 4 ballot. After the recession their 1 mill levy was rolled back and since 2008 the library has been dipping into its reserves and cutting back on hours and other expenses to keep the doors open. This 8 year levy increase will allow the library to be open on Sundays and Thursday afternoons as well as make needed improvements to services, collections, and technology. Also in Michigan, the Hackley Public Library in Muskegon will be asking voters to approve a 0.55 mill increase to fund a new public library also on November 4. The 15 year tax increase will pay for improvements to the existing building. Long needed facilities improvements include replacing an aged boiler and making front the entrance accessible. A Q & A with photos is on Michigan Live.

Residents in Gladstone (OR) will vote on a plan to build a new library on November 4. A similar measure was defeated in 2012. Measure 3-446 would authorize the city to spend $6.4 million on the project. This is asking voters to approve the debt only which will be paid down with the existing Clackamas County library district funds. The new building is bigger than the current, cramped downtown building, but smaller than the one planned for in 2012. This compromise on space and cost has gained support for the new library from the Save Gladstone group that opposed the 2012 measure.

The first library related snafu of the general elections has happened. Absentee ballots will be reissued in Gail Borden (IL) because they did not include the library question. This measure is asking for additional areas to be annexed into the library district. Residents in the areas to be annexed received absentee ballots, but the question was left off for residents in the library district. 679 ballots are being reissued.

There’s less than 3 months left in 2014 so we are already hearing about 2015 elections. The Rodman Public Library (OH) will have a 1.5-mill renewal on the April 5 ballot. This is about 40% of the library’s budget. Voters are also being asked to renew the tax for 8 years instead of the 5 year cycle that the current tax is on. And a feel good update from California, thanks to the passing of Measure C in June, planning has begun for a new Hayward Library. The new building will feature a zero net energy design running on solar energy and no fossil fuels. The new building will also have a digital makerspace, garden, and several bathrooms (lack of bathrooms was a complaint in the old building). In place of the old library will be a park to commemorate Don Castro. The new library is expected to be complete in February 2017.

There are 4 days left to give to the the Free For All Films Kickstarter to fund a documentary that shows the value of public libraries in the United States. This film captures stories about several public libraries big and small, but also candidly talks about their value and why libraries should be supported with funding. Help them, help libraries by giving this film a chance to be seen.

We are teaming up with our fav Tumblr, Librarian Wardrobe, to encourage everyone to get out and vote. It’s early voting time and that means we want to see a picture of you at the polls, mailbox, or anywhere with your I voted sticker. We want to see you voting! And on November 4th, join EveryLibrary for our Election night Watch Party. The EveryLibrary team will be watching the polls and updating social media. Be the first to know about ALL THE LIBRARY WINS!

That’s all for today. Join us next week for another round up. Happy trails!