Have you read a book today?
Waiting to the last minute, the San Jose City Council approved a resolution to place on the June ballot a Measure to extend the Library Parcel Tax. Surprisingly, the vote was unanimous. Perhaps that should be the headline from our partisan, divided, “I wanna be Mayor” City Council. Regardless, it’s good to see the agreement.
More importantly, the extension of this Library Parcel Tax is critical to the vitality of our city. If not extended, the revenue will end on June 30, 2015. It currently provides about 25% of the budget numbers for the city’s libraries.
Without continuation, there will be even fewer hours at the libraries, diminished digital services and a marked reduction in resources for the community. I know there are many problems that have been brought upon our library system by the budgetary devastation of the last few years. This measure will not alleviate those cuts. But, we will only hurt ourselves by using a no vote as a vehicle to complain.
Many of you may say who uses libraries anyway with electronic books and the Internet? If you are doubtful of the libraries’ impact on our community, visit one and you will see how everyone uses them. There is no greater egalitarian service. And oh yes, they even have the ability to let you read e-books & magazines on your Kindle or iPad.
When I visit my library almost every week, the place is filled with kids and families, exploring, and opening their eyes to new worlds. It is a place of enjoyable wonder.
It will take two yes votes for every no vote cast to pass this Measure. The hill is steep to climb. But the return on our investment is immeasurable.
I urge you to look into this measure and talk to your family, neighbors and friends to let them know how important libraries are in San Jose. Together, we can stop the destruction of at least one of our city’s most valuable institutions.
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