October 8, 2004

How would the funds of Library Measure S be used?

By Stephanie Lane
Special to the Times

On Nov. 2, San Jose voters will be asked to vote for Measure S, a library parcel tax that, if passed, will be in effect until June 30, 2015. The $25 annual tax would begin in 2005-06 and would be placed in a special fund and used only for public libraries in San Jose. Government entities, churches and other religious organizations would be exempt. The City Council would designate and oversight committee to review all fund expenditures.

The Library parcel tax proceeds will be spent exclusively for library purposes, such as:

- Acquisition of library books and materials and costs related to the maintenance of library collections.

- Development and delivery of homework and educational programs for all age groups to support literacy and lifelong learning.

- Repair, equipment and staffing of libraries.

- Cost of collection and administration of the Library Parcel Tax.

What happens if the measure does not receive approval by a two-thirds majority of voters?

If the new measure is not approved, the Library System will lose almost $6.2 million dollars annually, with the following ramifications.

- Acquisition of books and other library materials would drop by 70 percent from current levels. This means that only three of every 10-book selections would be purchased.

- Outdated and worn materials would not be replaced.

- Library technology, such as self-service checkout machines and computers for public use would not be maintained or upgraded.

- Over 40 positions (one in eight of the department’s current staff) would be eliminated.

- Branch libraries would close several days per week.

- Reading programs and other children’s services such as homework assistance and after-school programs would be deeply cut or eliminated.

- Delivery delays of library materials to customers and lapses in critical technology maintenance would occur.

- Services for users wanting to improve their literacy skills or obtain citizenship would be severely cut or eliminated.