Colorado Public Library Advocacy Initiative
Fewer libraries are making it to the ballot, or winning when they do. (See OCLC’s “From Awareness to Funding”) Pikes Peak Library District hasn’t won an election in the past 20 years. Douglas County Libraries lost in 2007 and 2008. The Aurora Public Library’s election loss in 2009 resulted in the closing of 4 of 7 libraries, and the laying off of half its staff. We are faced with two facts regarding long term state and national trends: first, library use is increasing. Second, public support for public libraries is declining.
In November of 2010, Colorado is likely to see three anti-tax measures that, collectively, would cut state revenues by an estimated $1.7 billion, and local government revenues by $622 million. This would take effect in 2011, a year when falling property taxes are already likely to reduce public library revenues, especially of library districts, by 10-25%. These anti-tax measures represent a profound attack on our public infrastructure.
See this document for a longer summary of the situation.
Website: http://bhagcolorado.blogspot.com/
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