Lib Politics Rodeo October 4, 2013

Welcome to the Lib Politics Rodeo.

Every Friday we will round up the 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.

In the news:

Author James Patterson wants to save libraries. He is following librarians on Twitter to get ideas. He proposes doing a “A get-out-the-vote school board tour”. How awesome would it be to have him work with EveryLibrary? Go tell him about us @JP_books.

Who said the school district, parks department, and library can’t all get along and on the same ballot? In Seguin, Texas an economic development corporation is supporting all three measures on the ballot because it is a “no brainer” and they are connected by a hiking trail. (!)

In  the Lyons Regional Library District, which includes parts of  Boulder and Larimer counties (CO), there may be a new property tax on the November ballot that would expand or replace the current library. The library board recognizes the financial hardship because of the floods and would only impose half the new tax rate. The board also believes this increase will free up some of the town’s own budget for the needed repairs to the existing after the flood.

Everyone simulate the fluttering of butterfly wings by blowing out of your doors toward the north for Wasilla library in Alaska. Today, they are awaiting the final vote count on a library ballot measure to increase taxes to pay for a new public library. The vote is close (leaning toward yes by 1%), but absentee ballots remain to be counted.

Another informative article about the ongoing lawsuits against libraries in Kentucky wherein they debate the pros and cons of having the fiscal court (elected officials) approve library tax increases.

Also, three other places where libraries will or may be on the ballot this fall:

A ballot measure for a new library for the Upper Macungie township (PA) will be on the Nov 5 ballot. It is a $13 mill referendum. The  local library Political Action Committee (PAC) will host town hall meetings later this month. The Baldwin public library (AL) expansion plans are to be presented to the public later this month. If the plan is endorsed they will move forward with drafting ballot language. The Wells Public Library is Wells, Maine is considering a $3.4 mill bond on the ballot to help fund the public library renovation.

You've probably heard all the Federal library services are down because of THE shutdown. But today the LOC announced that the legislative sites will be opened up and updated.

On our desks:

This is another one that is permanently on our desk(top)s. It is the OCLC From Awareness to Funding report. This study influences the work we do at EveryLibrary very much. It is one of the few studies that actually makes a connection between library advocacy activities and funding. It gives some great insight in to voter perception of the library. Remember not all voters are library users.  We tweeted some key facts from it earlier this week. Follow us. What are some other things you would like to see us tweet about in library politics?

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