COUNTY FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION LEVY TO CONTINUE LIBRARY SERVICES
QUESTION: Shall Multnomah County continue library services with levy of 75.5 cents per $1000 assessed value for five years beginning 2002?
This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
SUMMARY: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least 50 percent voter turnout.
The levy is for Multnomah County Library purposes. Services funded include:
- Central Library and neighborhood libraries maintain current hours;
- Monday hours restored at Central Library and four other big libraries;
- Continued library services for young and school-age children – story hours for babies and toddlers, homework help, summer reading and services for children in child care;
- Continued special services for adults and seniors such as help for job-seekers and small business owners and home book delivery;
- Libraries buy additional books, magazines and other materials.
The levy approved by voters in 1997 provides over half the funds for the libraries this year. If the levy is not renewed, library services will be reduced. Libraries will be open fewer days. Some neighborhood libraries may close. Fewer books will be purchased.
The levy is estimated to raise $25.7 million in 2002-03, $26.7 million in 2003-04, $27.8 million in 2004-2005, $29 million in 2005-2006, and $30.3 million in 2006-2007.
The levy is for 75.5 cents per $1,000 assessed value per year. The average assessed valuation for a single-family residence is about $125,980. A property assessed at this amount will pay $7.93 per month for this levy.
The estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the best information available from the county assessor at the time of estimate.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Continue Existing Multnomah County Library Services
Measure 26-32, will replace the current library levy that will expire next year. Its cost will be 75.5 cents per $1,000 assessed value per year. According to the County Department of Assessment and Taxation, the average single family home would pay about $7.93 per month for this levy.
Measure 26-32, will fund continued library services at Multnomah County libraries including:
Albina
Belmont
Capital Hill
Central
Fairview/Columbia
Gregory Heights
Gresham
Hillsdale
Holgate
Hollywood
Midland
North Portland
Northwest
Rockwood
Sellwood-Moreland
St. Johns
Woodstock
Library Services Expected to be Renewed and Restored, include:
- Multnomah County libraries open six days a week for an average of 53-58 hours each;
- Monday hours restored at Central Library and the four busiest branches;
- Central Library and neighborhood libraries open Sunday afternoons;
- Library services for young and school-age children – story hours for babies and toddlers, homework help, summer reading and services for children in child care;
- Library services for jobseekers, small business owners, those speaking English as a Second Language;
- Buying more new books, magazines, and other library materials.
How Are Libraries Used?
- An average of 21 books are checked out every year, for every man, woman and child in the County;
- More than 34,000 children participate in the Library’s Summer Reading Program;
- More than 52,000 people attend library events for children and teens each year;
- Special library programs with schools reach nearly 75,000 students and teachers each year;
- Librarians and other staff provide personal help an average of 93,000 times each week – answering questions, reading stories, checking out books, and more;
- People turn to the library in person, by phone or e-mail hundreds of times each day for help finding information they need;
- Each day more than 6,500 people visit Central and neighborhood libraries.
RESULT OF A ‘NO’ VOTE
The library gets over 55% of its funding from the current voter-approved levy. If the library levy is not renewed, library services will be reduced. Libraries will be open fewer days, some neighborhood libraries may close, and fewer books will be purchased.
Submitted by:
Diane Linn
Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
No arguments AGAINST this Measure were submitted.
Measure 26-32 | Multnomah County
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Message from Former U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield and Former Governor Barbara Roberts
Our Libraries are a Great Value – Let’s Keep Them Open
Libraries are a great value for people and their communities. That is especially true in Multnomah County. They serve everyone, at all ages:
- Story times for young children help instill a life-long love of reading and learning.
- Homework help and access to information for students mean a more successful education.
- There is a tremendous demand for seniors programs offering continuing learning and opportunities to gather.
- Libraries provide an invaluable resource to those looking for career help and small businesses.
- And there is no better place for families to spend safe, fun and educational time.
But for our libraries to continue to be a terrific value, their doors must be open and their programs available.
That is why the Library Levy is so important, and why we hope you will vote to continue it.
The levy provides over half of the funding for the Multnomah County Library. It is through the levy that Multnomah County voters have said they value their libraries, and want it to be an important part of our community’s life. But that can only be true if the levy is renewed. If it is not, we will lose many of the services we rely on. Libraries will be open fewer days, and some neighborhood libraries may have to close altogether. And fewer books will be purchased.
The services our libraries provide and the values they represent are what make ours a great community and a great state. Let’s protect that, and renew the Library Levy.
Former Senator Mark Hatfield
Former Governor Barbara Roberts
(This information furnished by Liz Kaufman, Libraries Yes)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure 26-32 | Multnomah County
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
TEACHERS KNOW THE VALUE OF LIBRARIES TO STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS
As teachers, we help children learn, grow and become successful adults. And one of the most important tools we have is the public library.
Today, the libraries’ role in helping our schools do their job has never been more critical. That’s why we hope you will join us in voting yes to continue Multnomah County’s Library Levy - Measure 26-32.
Even before the first time a child arrives at school, libraries help. Thousands of pre-school children participate in reading programs, story times and other gateways into books and learning. They get to school better prepared and ready to learn. That is one of the biggest predictors of success, and helps ease one of the schools’ greatest burdens.
During their school careers, libraries provide even more. Homework help, access to books, references and information all day and into the evening mean learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. And the library is a constructive, safe place where a young person can always get help, or get their questions answered – everyday, in every part of our community.
Our schools face great challenges: they are short of money and materials. And school libraries have been particularly hard hit. It is our public libraries that have stepped into that breach – becoming an indispensible partner to our public schools.
But that will only continue if we continue the library levy. Passing Measure 26-32 will allow the library to keep helping our schools and our students. It will keep educating and encouraging the next generation to be productive citizens. And that is something we all have a stake in.
Schools, Kids and Libraries
Keep the partnership working!
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-32
Dawn Martin
Middle School Teacher, Portland Public Schools
Mary Jo Steffen
High School Librarian, Parkrose High School
(This information furnished by Libraries Yes)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure 26-32 | Multnomah County
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Dear Voter,
My name is Page Beukelman. I’m 10 years old, and in the 4th grade. I’m not old enough to vote on keeping our libraries open, but I really care about it. That’s why I wanted to tell people who can vote why the library is important to me.
I have been going to the library for as long as I can remember, way before I started going to school. Mostly, I go to the Hollywood library to get books, CDs, videos and books on tape. My favorite thing was going to story time with my mom. It made a big difference for me, because the library helped me learn to read even before I got to Kindergarten. It meant that I had a great start in school.
The library is still important to me. I go there all the time with my family. It helps with my homework, and it’s just nice to have it in the neighborhood. I also like that it is open after school and on weekends, which is when I can really use it.
My mom told me that this vote on the library will decide if it can stay open the same times, buy more books and keep things like story times and homework help going. It’s really important for kids like me. But there are always a lot of grownups there too.
Please vote to keep the library open!
Sincerely,
Page Beukelman
(This information furnished by Libraries Yes Campaign)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure 26-32 | Multnomah County
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Gresham, East Multnomah County and Measure 26-32
The Library Levy is especially important for our neighborhoods!
Measure 26-32 will maintain library services at every library throughout Multnomah County. But East Portland, Gresham and the eastern end of Multnomah County have a particularly large stake in continuing the Library Levy.
The levy provides about 55% of the money it takes to keep our libraries working. If it doesn’t pass, there will have to be serious cuts. And many of those cuts will be in hard won services to our East County communities.
In 2001, Multnomah County Library opened the first new library in 29 years at Fairview/Columbia. Residents of the community have made it a very busy library – delighted to have a public meeting space, computer access, story times, and all of the other services the library has to offer to families, seniors and children.
Other libraries serving East Multnomah County are Gresham, Midland and Rockwood. Each library offers special programs to their communities – from Career Development, to International Outreach to non-native speakers, Libros and Dia de los Ninos. As East Multnomah County has a significant Spanish speaking population, Multnomah County has bilingual staff at Gresham, Fairview/Columbia and Rockwood to assist with outreach to 0-5 year olds, elementary, middle and high school students and their families.
More East County Library programs that a ‘Yes’ vote on Measure 26-32 will protect include:
- Preschool, toddler, K-5 and family story times
- Tiny Tots
- Homework Helpers
- Book discussion groups
- Computer assistance classes and labs
- Cyber Sundays (free one on one help for families to learn about computers)
- Home schooling classes
- Public meeting space
- Old time music show
- Book Babies
- Math classes
- Musical events
- Classes on how to read to your baby
- Lectures for adults and children
PROTECT EAST COUNTY’S LIBRARIES
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-32
Terry McCall
Library Board Chair and resident, City of Gresham
Bonnie Morris
Former Library Board member, Gresham resident.
(This information furnished by Tom McCall & Bonnie Morris, Libraries Yes)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure 26-32 | Multnomah County
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Let Libraries Continue to Serve Our Senior Citizens
By Jim Duncan
Our Multnomah County Public Library is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. I can’t quite match that – I’m only 69. But I have been around long enough to know how important libraries are to our community, and that supporting them is one of the best values we have.
I am also very involved in senior issues, and wanted to share some of the reasons that voting to continue the library is so important for older residents of Multnomah County.
Of course, seniors care about the same things everyone does: we value libraries because they’re the gateway to learning. They offer constructive activities for the young people, helping their schooling and keeping them out of trouble.
But libraries specifically serve seniors in several important ways:
- They reach out to nursing homes, those who are homebound and those who face physical challenges.
- Programs like Cyber-Seniors offer help and instruction for seniors who want to learn how to use computers – opening an entire new world. (I know many seniors who use library computers to keep in touch with grandchildren and family through e-mail!)
- And Libraries continue to be a safe place, close to home, where you can always walk in and have a friendly face answer your questions, and point you in the right direction.
And here is one more thing that I hope everyone understands: Measure 26-32 is not a new tax. It simply continues the library levy we approved a few years ago. In fact, I like the idea that we have a chance to say ‘yes’ to our libraries occasionally. But it is important to know that the library gets more than half of its day-to-day funding from our voter approval of this levy. If it fails, all of us – seniors in particular – will lose a lot.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN VOTING YES FOR LIBRARIES!
YES ON MEASURE 26-32!
(This information furnished by Jim Duncan, Libraries Yes)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.