Salinas PL Fate Now on Ballot

November vote could bring $10 million to struggling city

By Michael Rogers -- Library Journal, 09/01/2005

The library system of Salinas, CA, which has seen hours cut and employees leave as officials struggle to keep the doors open, may get a new lease on life: the Salinas City Council July 12 approved a ballot measure that would put the system's future in the hands of voters.

If passed in the November elections, the 5¢ sales tax would add roughly $10 million to the city's empty coffers for ten years, enough to fund full library operations and restore other city services that also fell victim to cuts. Although an identical ballot measure failed last November, the library's struggles garnered national attention; a relief effort saved the system from closure (see News, LJ 5/1/05, p. 18ff.).

Lynne Steele, president of the Friends of the Salinas Library, indicated that the measure is a good first step but no guarantee of success. "Surprisingly, there are people in our community who will need convincing that the libraries here need a stronger revenue stream," she told LJ. "If this tax measure fails, the emergency funds raised by Rally Salinas! will be depleted by year's end."