From before “day one” of EveryLibrary we work to help libraries by providing visibility and channeling resources to local library initiatives.
Most referendum roundups are put together after the election is over. However, as we approach the November 6, 2012 election, EveryLibrary is building a list of upcoming referendum, levys and millages, and bonding to come before the voters. The data set will be important as we look back, but this list is also your place to put your interests into immediate action. Your support for EveryLibrary will enable us – in elections to come – to provide direct funding and tactical support. For this election cycle, click through for ways to support these library campaigns.
Add your library to the 2012 Watch List
Libraries on the November 6, 2012 Election Cycle
5 Nov 12 Update: Check “Ballotpedia” – a non-partisan wiki for tracking measures on national, state, and local ballots – for additional library ballot measures in November 2012 and the primaries.
California
El Dorado (CA) County Library
Library’s Facebook Page
What is on the Ballot?
“Vote Yes on Measure L” campaign is asking voters to approval a Parcel Tax that would provide about $1.6 million in funding each year for operations at six branches. Their total budget is about $3 million, of which the county provides $1.3 million from the general fund.
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Lassen County (CA) Library
Via BallotWatch
What is on the Ballot?
“If Measure W is approved, it will authorize the Lassen Library District to extend the parcel tax it levies ($28/year) to all “inhabitable dwelling units” within the district.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Pomona (CA) Public Library
Save Our Pomona Public Library
What is on the Ballot?
“A parcel tax of $38 per parcel. It is expected to generate about $1.5 million a year for the city’s library.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“[The library] has been threatened with complete closure”.
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West Sonoma (CA) County High School District
From a Press Release
What is on the Ballot?
“Measure K is an 8-year $48 parcel tax. The Measure K ballot language specifies that funds from the measure will be used to keep school libraries open; maintain and improve shop, art, music, drama, culinary, technology, and other career education classes; maintain and improve college prep courses; and maintain student counseling services.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“With the kind of support provided from Measure K, our students can become well-rounded, contributing members of the community. Without it, their education will be compromised.”
Colorado
Jefferson County (CO) Schools
Support JeffCo Schools Site
What is on the Ballot?
“Issue 3A will generate $39 million for operational costs which will help Jeffco Schools: Recruit and retain the best teachers [NB: Including Teacher Librarians]; Maintain classroom size; Allow Jeffco to continue to provide students with the instruction and skills necessary for success in college and the workplace; Ensure students have access to instrumental music, teacher librarians, electives, and Outdoor Lab as well as benefit from instructional coaching for teachers; Restore two school days for students.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass
“Over the past three years Jeffco Schools has cut its budget by $63 million. Without 3A, the district will face another $45 million in budget cuts for the 2013-2014 school year.”
Illinois
Broadview (IL) Public Library
From the Library’s Page
What is on the Ballot?
“The library is seeking $4.1 million in public money as part of a $6.6 million building program. The library is contributing $2.5 million from reserves which were created for this purpose and is applying for grants to help offset some of the cost. The referendum will be asking property owners to invest in the expansion by incurring and increase in their property tax bill of $5 per month or $60 a year for the next 20 years.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Louisianna
Lafayette (LA) Public Library
Library Newsletter (opens PDF)
What is on the Ballot?
“Renewal of a 2 mill property tax millage that generates about $3.3 million for the Lafayette Public Library System… The millage provides about a third of the Library’s annual budget for operations and maintenance, … including books, e-books, staffing, technology, facility maintenance and utilities. The millage is also being used, in part, to help fund the renovation of the Main Library and the construction of the remaining Regional Libraries, and will be used for operations of these facilities once they are open.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Maryland
Enoch Pratt Free Library (MD)
News Account
What is on the Ballot?
“Question E. Bond Issue Public Building Loan. Ordinance No. 12-23 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $17,000,000 to be used for the acquisition of land or property; for the construction, erection, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, installation, improvement, and repair of buildings, structures, or facilities owned or controlled by the City and the Enoch Pratt Free Library….”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Michigan
Ann Arbor (MI) District Library
http://ournewlibrary.com/
What is on the Ballot?
“The Ann Arbor District Library is proposing a $65 million bond to greater Ann Arbor voters in the upcoming November 6, 2012 election to rebuild the downtown library with a state-of-the-art facility in the Fifth & William St. location.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“Decisions are made around the building’s room sizes and configuration. It can go on as it is, but cannot do more — and more is what our community is expecting of the library and is saying to the staff, too.”
Missouri
St. Louis (MO) County Library
http://supportslcl.org/vote-yes-prop-l
What is on the Ballot?
“The St. Louis County Library system is funded by a property tax assessment on resident and business properties in the Library district. Proposition L is an initiative to increase the current tax rate from 16.3¢ to 22.3¢.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“The Library has not asked for a tax increase since 1983. Proposition L would make sure SLCL can keep up with growing demand and new technologies.”
Nebraska
Greenwood (NE) Public Library
Friends Newsletter
What is on the Ballot?
“We the voters of Greenwood will get to decide in November whether to pass an $800,000 bond for a new facility to house a new community center, library and the village office and meeting room.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“Feelings are mixed with the people in the community …some wanting to fix up the old building and some wanting a new building….”
Nevada
Carson City (NV)
Vote Yes on CC#1
What is on the Ballot?
“A Knowledge & Discovery Center that moves the traditional library into the 21st century, where our children and grandchildren’s futures await.” What will it cost? “One penny for every $4.00 we spend—about $12.50 per year—but not on essential purchases like food and medicine. Tourists and visitors will contribute when they purchase local goods.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass
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Henderson (NV) Libraries
http://www.mypubliclibrary.com/catalog/library/userdef/taxinitiative.aspx
What is on the Ballot?
“The library district is proposing an ad valorem tax rate increase of 2 cents per $100 in assessed property value. Currently, the library receives 5.75 cents per $100 in assessed property value. With the increase, the library will receive 7.75 cents per $100 in assessed property value.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“With real and projected declines in property tax revenue over the next 3 years and in order to maintain a balanced budget, the Galleria Library and the Malcolm Library will close and the positions associated with those libraries will be eliminated….”
New Mexico
Statewide
http://bondsforlibraries.nmla.org/
What is on the Ballot?
New Mexico voters will be asked this Nov 6th to approve Issue B, a $9.7 million GO Bond (general obligation bond) to fund public, academic, school, and tribal libraries.
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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North Carolina
Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh, NC)
News Coverage
What is on the Ballot?
“A $210 million in building projects [that] would also kickstart a new campus near Research Triangle Park… [t]he campus will get a full-size library – more than twice the space of the current facility.”
What Happens if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Ohio
Huron (OH) Public Library
Support Huron Library Site
What is on the Ballot?
“HPL is seeking approval of a 1.25 mill 5-year tax levy beginning collection in 2013. A levy will provide for a continuation of services and restoration of weekend hours in the face of reduced revenue from the state of Ohio.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Toledo-Lucas County (OH) Public Library
News Coverage
What is on the Ballot?
“The library is hoping voters will pass a 2.9 mill levy on November 6, which provides nearly 50 percent of its funding [NB: $2.7 million]. The new levy would replace an existing 2 mill levy that expires at the end of the year. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home less than 8 cents per day.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
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Oregon
Gladstone (OR) Public Library
From a News Account
What is on the Ballot?
“Shall Gladstone authorize construction and incurrence of a maximum debt of $7.5 million to finance a new $10 million library?”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
No new library. “To date, the City has spent $1,189,278 and will not recover that money if the project is not completed.”
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Multnomah (OR) County Library
http://www.multcolib.org/about/funding/index.html
What is on the Ballot?
“Formation of a Library District with a permanent rate is in the public interest, will serve the needs of the community, and will provide a stable long-term source of funding; The name of the library district is the Multnomah County Library District, and its boundaries will include all territory within Multnomah County; Upon voter approval, the Library District will be funded by a permanent rate of $1.24 per $1,000 assessed value beginning July 2013.
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“The current system of library funding is unstable, due largely to the impacts of Oregon property tax limitations.”
Wyoming
Converse County (WY) Library
News Coverage
What is on the Ballot?
“For the expansion of its two buildings in Douglas and Glenrock, the library is asking for $23 million in a one-cent special purpose tax, and the question will go before the voters at the general election.
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“Should the ballot issue pass in the general election, the bond issue would allow the library to begin construction as soon as taxes are collected, around April 1, 2013.”
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Natrona County (WY) Public Library
http://newpubliclibrary.com/faq/
What is on the Ballot?
“[A] temporary tax will add 1% to purchases for a period of less than two years.” “The total ballot measure is $29.7 million, which includes all costs for the project, as well as a fund to supplement county funding for the operating expenses. Construction with contingency is estimated at $21.2 million; design, permitting, and equipment at $4 million, and $4.5 million for a long-term operating fund.”
What if it Doesn’t Pass?
“Without public funding approved by voters, the new library cannot be built.”
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If you have a November 6, 2012 library ballot initiative to add to the list, please include the official website and contact information in an email to john.chrastka@everylibrary.org.
