|
On
Tuesday June 6,
California
voters did not approve Proposition
81 – the California Reading and Literacy
Improvement and Public Library Construction and
Renovation Bond Act of 2006.
Final results were very close, 46.9 in
favor to 53.1 opposed.
A simple majority was needed for approval.
Through the sale of general obligation
bonds, the state would have provided $600
million of grants to local governments to
construct new libraries or expand or renovate
existing libraries. Local
agencies would have contributed about $320
million of their own funds toward these projects.
State
Librarian of California Susan Hildreth states of
the vote:
“I am saddened although not completely
surprised. Early polling this year showed that the
vote might be close, but with great grassroots
efforts and support from the “Yes on Proposition
81 Campaign,” the California Library
Association, the League of Women Voters, the
California Teachers Association and others, I was
optimistic that this very valuable and necessary
measure would be approved.”
We
know there is a growing demand for library
services and for welcoming library facilities to
respond to that demand.
California State Library staff will
continue to provide technical assistance so that
local library jurisdictions can meet their capital
and service needs.
There
was some good news on Election Day for the National
City Public Library.
Director Anne Campbell reports that a 1%
increase in the city’s general sales tax was
approved by a resounding 58%.
This increase will allow restoration and
expansion of public service hours in their new
main library that was partially funded from the
Library Bond Act of 2000.
|
