Waco, San Antonio Voters Approve Expansion Funds

Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 05/30/2007

Two Texas cities held elections May 12 that resulted in good news for public libraries. For the first time in 40 years, Waco voters approved a bond referendum, choosing to raise taxes to fund $63 million in community improvements, including $12 million for libraries. The funds will be used to build a new 30,000 square foot West Waco library and renovate the Waco-McLennan County Central Library, creating 8500 more square feet of usable space.

In San Antonio, voters approved an $11 million bond for public library capital improvements. The amount will pay for upgrades at nine branches and partially fund two new facilities. The library bond was one of five, totaling $550 million. The library board initially requested some $33 million in refurbishments to be included in the bond.