Quick Look at November 7 Election Results
EveryLibrary was able to identify and track 37 libraries on the November 7, 2017 ballot across the country in 16 states.
Overall, it was an amazing Election Night for libraries. As of this writing (11am EST on 11/8/17) there are several that are still 'out' and unreported. Results reported here are subject to change as votes are tabulated by local election officials. That said, it appears that 27 libraries passed their ballot measures, 3 lost theirs, and 6 are still 'too early' to tell.
Highlights from last night include passage of the statewide New Jersey Library Construction Bond, a $125 million authorization for state matching funds for local construction projects. Denver, Dallas, and Houston also passed major citywide building bonds that will help move multiple facilities into the next generation. With new operating funds in places like Kitsap Regional Library (WA), St. Clairsville (OH) Public Library, and the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library (PA), the community will experience improved services and hopefully more librarians in their lives. For places like Stanislaus County Library (CA) and Grand Rapids, MI. the renew of their basic funding provides the stability the community needs from their library. We are happy to see the formation of a new municipal library in Rochelle Park, NJ., and the people of Moniteau County, MO. establishing the county district and expanding their library services.
It only takes a few dollars a month to help us continue this work. That’s less than a cup of coffee!
EveryLibrary was proud to work with nine of these communities as they took their libraries to the ballot (note the * below). Our next library Election Day is November 28th, 2017 in Coventry, CT. After that, we expect to work with 20+ library communities in 2018. All our work is pro-bono and donor supported. If you would like to talk about how we can potentially be a resource, a guide, or a partner for your ballot measure plans, please email [email protected] to get started.
| Pass / Fail | Library | City/County | State | What on Ballot |
| Pass | Stanislaus County Library | Stanislaus County | CA | Measure S ⅛ cent sales tax - renewal |
| Fail | *Clearview Library District | Windsor / Clearview | CO |
Clearview Library District bonded debt MLO (5A) to raise $2.175 million annually (3.1mills for first 25 years) for library construction/operations financing would go down to .5 mills after 2042. Property tax impact is $44.64 per year on $200,000 home.
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| Pass | Denver City Bond - Includes Library | Denver | CO | $69.3 million bond package - Question 2E |
| Too Early | Montrose Regional Library District | Montrose | CO | Ballot Issue 5A. Mill levy to raise .85 mill |
| Pass | Bridgeport | Bridgeport | CT | Vote on new funding formula for library. |
| Pass | *Hiawatha Public Library | Hiawatha | IA |
$1.7 million bond vote, as part of a $4.7 million funding plan for a new, larger library with $2 million in fundraising and a $1 million contribution from the city).
|
| Too Early | Wilder Free Library | Canyon County | ID |
Two-year, $85,000 per year plant facilities levy for new library
|
| Too Early | Rice Public Library | Kittery | ME |
Non-binding referrendum on expanding or building a new library
|
| Pass | Grand Rapids Public Library | Grand Rapids | MI | 0.3741 mills for 20 years |
| Pass | *Moniteau County Library | Moniteau County | MO |
A vote to establish a new library district and a vote for basic funding following a judge’s invalidation of the previous district in February.
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| Pass | *Rochelle Park | Rochelle Park | NJ |
Establish a new municipal library with 1/3 mil funding to open a library there permanently
|
| Pass |
New Jersey Statewide Construction Bond
|
NJ |
"Question 1" - Authorizes $125 million in bonds for library construction projects in state
|
|
| Pass | *Henrietta Public Library | Henrietta | NY | $10 million bond for new library |
| Too Early | Hudson Area Association Library | Hudson and Greenport Counties | NY |
Additional $130,000 from Hudson and $35,000 from Greenport taxpayers to go toward the library’s operating budget.
|
| Fail | Rose Memorial Library | Stony Point | NY |
Proposal #4 - ask voters to approve increasing the town's contribution to the library budget by $717,371 to a total of $972,371. If approved, this would become the library's new annual budget.
|
| Too Early | Lindenhurst Memorial Library | Lindenhurst | NY |
"The Library renovation and expansion building project is estimated to cost approximately $14.9 million dollars. The Board of Trustees will apply at least $400,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund, thereby reducing the total amount to bond to approximately $14.5 million. The estimated cost per average household should be approximately $0.28 per day, $8.20 per month, $98.00 per year."
|
| Pass | *St. Clairsville Public Library | St. Clairsville | OH |
A vote to establish a new 5-year levy for current operating expenses.
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| Pass | Harbor Topky Public Library | Ashtabula | OH | 2 mills / 10 year renewal, operating |
| Pass | Belmont County District Library | Belmont | OH | 1 mill renewal |
| Pass | Cleveland Public Library | Cleveland / Cuyahoga | OH |
5.8 mills renewal, 2 mills increase, operating levy
|
| Pass | Coshocton County Library System | Coshocton County | OH |
0.5 mills for five years for the purpose of current expenses
|
| Pass | Elyria Public Library System | Elyria / Lorain | OH |
0.9 mill / 30 year for renovation and construction
|
| Pass | Geauga County Library | Geauga County | OH |
$24 million bond to upgrade aging buildings, offer expanded community spaces, and make room for more materials and technology resources, such as computers. It would cost property owners about $17 a year per $100,000 in property valuation.
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| Pass | Kingsville Public Library District | Kingsville / Ashtabula | OH | 1.5 mills new, operating |
| Pass | Loudonville Public Library | Loudonville / Ashland | OH | 0.8 mills new operating |
| Pass | Mentor Public Library | Mentor / Lake | OH | 2 mills renewal operating |
| Pass | Wayne County Public Library | Wayne | OH | 1 mill renewal, 0.1 mills increase, operating |
| Pass | Warrenton Community Library | Clatsop County | OR | Levy increase 9 cents to 33 cent per $1,000 |
| Too Early | Castle Rock Public Library | Cowlitz County | OR |
Prop 1 for excess levy for $0.50 on $1,000 to be collected in 2018 to funbd the public library
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| Pass | Salem Library | Salem | OR |
$18.6 million in library upgrades aimed, in part, at making the building earthquake-resistant and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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| Partial Pass (2 of 6 municipalities) | *Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library | Greensburg | PA | 1 mil levy to avert anticipated closure in 3 years |
| Pass | Bayard Taylor Memorial Library - Kennett Library | New Garden Township | PA |
“Do you favor increasing New Garden Township’s real estate tax by 0.1000 mills, the revenue from such increase to be used exclusively to fund the operation of the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library (also-known-as the Kennett Library)?” The current real estate property tax is 1.62 mils.
|
| Pass | *Dallas Public Library - Measure E | Dallas | TX |
$11.5 million bond (measure E) to build 2 new libraries and rennovate several
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| Pass | Houston Public Library | Houston | TX | $123 million bond for libraries (PROP E) |
| Fail | Santaquin City Cultural Center | Santaquin City | UT |
6 million dollar bond for new senior center and library
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| Pass | *Kitsap Regional Library | Kitsap County | WA | $0.08 cent levy increase for operating and programs |
All results preliminary and unofficial as of 11/8/17
Please send corrections and additions to [email protected]