Press
Articles
IJ endorses all three local library taxes - Marin IJ Editorial from 4/25/10
Marin voters to weigh $49 parcel tax on June ballot - Marin IJ article from 4/17/10
Statements against library tax removed - Ross Valley Reporter article from 4/6/10
San Anselmo library tax opponent asks for withdrawal of ballot statements - Marin IJ article from 3/31/10
Volunteers pursue parcel tax to fund San Anselmo Library - Marin IJ article from 01/07/10
San Anselmo library supporters collect twice as many signatures for ballot measure as needed - Marin IJ article from 2/11/10
Press Contact
Please contact Steven Lee, Co-Chair, steve@safuture.org 415-843-1488 or
Eli Welber, Co-Chair, Eli@safuture.org (415) 640-8542
Press Releases
San Anselmo garners community support to put the Library Tax Initiative on the June ballot
February 9, 2010 - The Fund Our Future Campaign passes its first hurdle to secure better funding for its treasured 95 year-old public library, and one of the worst funded. In order to get the Library Tax Measure on the June 2010 ballot, Fund Our Future Committee Volunteers had to collect at least 817 valid signatures from registered voters in San Anselmo. With 55 energetic volunteers, the Committee gathered 1,656 signatures during a rainy 3-week period last month. With more than double the necessary signatures collected, the San Anselmo community demonstrated enormous support for their Library. The next step is for the town of San Anselmo to validate and count the signatures.
If approved by voters, the Measure would establish a $49 annual parcel tax (for five years) benefitting the San Anselmo Library. The parcel tax, along with financial support provided by the San Anselmo General Fund, would bring the public library back to its former level of service. The Library would be open 50 hours and 7 days a week, have a children's librarian and additional technical staff, and add children's services and specialized programming for all ages. The additional funding would increase the San Anselmo Library budget for books, DVDs, audios and other materials by at least 50% - not to mention improve the number and capabilities of the public computer work stations.
Sara Loyster, San Anselmo's Head Librarian stresses, "There is recognition that the Library is an economic asset to the community and is a source of community pride. Our beautiful, historic Carnegie Library is a big draw."
The San Anselmo Library lost one third of its budget in 2006, making it by far the poorest public library in Marin. The library is only open 36 hours a week. There is no longer a Children's Librarian and most children's services and programs were cut. The budget for books, movies and new computer equipment was also greatly reduced. As the San Anselmo Library struggles with budget cuts over recent years, the community continues to utilize the services of this valued institution:
- Borrowers checked out 133,859 print and non-print library items over the last year!
- Public PCs were used by library patrons over 8,249 times in the past year.
- Access to the online library catalog and databases is available 24/7.
The Committee envisions a strong and visible campaign this spring involving door-to-door efforts, phone banks, more mailings, yard signs, and an informative website - all urging voters to say YES to the Library parcel tax measure.
