Library Bond Fails in CA
By Lynn Blumenstein & Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 7/15/2006
After years of support for library construction, voters in California on June 6 narrowly defeated Proposition 81, a $600 million construction bond to help California public libraries. The vote was 46.9 percent in favor to 53.1 percent opposed. The measure would have replenished an existing library construction and renovation program, administering two-to-one matching grants ranging from $50,000 to $2 million. Half of the money would have been distributed to previously approved projects that were left out because funds were depleted from a $350 million bond measure approved by voters in 2000.
Among those communities counting on funds were San Francisco, Morgan Hill, Antioch, Berkeley, and Walnut Creek. California State Librarian Susan Hildreth said, “I am saddened although not completely surprised. Early polling this year showed that the vote might be close, but with great grass-roots efforts and support from the 'Yes on Proposition 81 Campaign,' the California Library Association, the League of Women Voters, the California Teachers Association and others, I was optimistic.” While there was no organized opposition, turnout was light.
