Allendale Branch Library (Photo – cityofpasadena.net)
PASADENA – ColoradoBoulevard.net:
On Monday, July 18, 2022, the Pasadena City Council unanimously voted to place the ‘Pasadena Public Library Services Continuation Measure’ on the November 8, 2022 ballot.
By News Desk
Voters will decide whether to continue a dedicated, special revenue source for Pasadena Public Library programs and services. If voters approve this measure, it will continue to generate approximately $2.8 million annually for the next 15 years in dedicated, locally controlled dollars for Pasadena’s libraries.
Since its inception over 135 years ago, the Pasadena Public Library has attained a position as a highly-regarded educational and cultural institution. With more than 3,000 on-site programs, free Wi-Fi services, and an extensive collection of printed books, periodicals, media, and cloud-based eBooks, the Pasadena Public Library serves as a life-long learning center and cultural beacon for the greater Pasadena community.
The Pasadena Public Library Services Continuation Measure is not a new tax. The Measure is meant to maintain a revenue source that has been in existence over the last 29 years. In June of 1993, voters approved a Special Library Tax with 79.9% of the vote. They have since renewed it twice, in 1997 and 2007, with more than 80% of the vote. The current parcel tax has a sunset date of February 2023.
Pasadena Public Library Services Continuation Measure
These revenues are used to keep Pasadena libraries open and well maintained. They are also used to purchase up-to-date books and materials, support library programs and services, provide access to computers, Wi-Fi, and technology, and retain well-qualified librarians. It has enabled the Pasadena Public Library to enhance its services by implementing an advanced search engine, a computerized magazine and newspaper index, a new online library catalog, and public access to the internet with terminals at all neighborhood library locations.
For more information on the Pasadena Public Library Services Continuation Measure, visit CityofPasadena.net/Measure-PPL.
Edited by Ann Hunnewell
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What I fail to understand is that the need to reinforce buildings that are not earthquake safe has been known for many years, and there have been initiatives all over California for years to get public buildings updated. Most identified buildings have now been repaired and or upgraded and the work paid for. Why did this project languish so that now repairs need to be done at 2022 prices? We truly deserve a answer to this question.
This measure is not for funding of the seismic reinforcement of the Central Library. Instead, it is the continue a parcel tax that provides 20% of the budget for library services including library personnel, material, and other operating costs. If this does not pass, services at branch libraries will need to be cut.