Library Referenda 2008: Libraries Build the Case for Voter Support

Fuente: ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
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Main Author: Dempsey, Beth
Format: Recurso educativo Open Access
Language:en
Published: 2009
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author Dempsey, Beth
author_facet Dempsey, Beth
Dempsey, Beth
collection Education Resources Information Center
contents Library Referenda 2008: Libraries Build the Case for Voter Support Dempsey, Beth Bond Issues Library Facilities Financial Support Voting Public Libraries Public Support Library Development Despite the recent turmoil in the U.S. economy, most libraries that were tracked by "Library Journal" won their referenda at a rate just slightly lower than 2007. Nearly three-quarters of operating referenda passed. Building referenda under $10 million passed at a whopping 85%, with those over $10 million batting slightly better than 500. Among the larger requests was a spectacular win by Atlanta-Fulton Public Library. Its request for a $275 million bond for the most extensive library building program in Georgia's history was approved by voters at a rate of two to one. In California, the Palo Alto City Library will build new and expand existing libraries with $76 million approved by nearly 70% of its constituents. And in Idaho, the Boise Basin Library District won a fight for its very life when voters supported the library with 81% of the ballot. The economy's health impacted voter support in different ways. With economists continuing to predict that things are likely to get worse before they get better, the chances of catching voters in a good mood in 2009 (or 2010...) are slim. Libraries with referenda on the ballot this year are likely to face a populace worn thin by corporate bailouts and an uncertain future. In this article, the author discusses what libraries can and should learn from the libraries that fought and won in 2008. (Contains 5 tables.)
format Recurso educativo Open Access
id eric_EJ839615
institution ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
language en
publishDate 2009
record_format eric
spellingShingle Library Referenda 2008: Libraries Build the Case for Voter Support
Dempsey, Beth
Bond Issues
Library Facilities
Financial Support
Voting
Public Libraries
Public Support
Library Development
Library Referenda 2008: Libraries Build the Case for Voter Support Dempsey, Beth Bond Issues Library Facilities Financial Support Voting Public Libraries Public Support Library Development Despite the recent turmoil in the U.S. economy, most libraries that were tracked by "Library Journal" won their referenda at a rate just slightly lower than 2007. Nearly three-quarters of operating referenda passed. Building referenda under $10 million passed at a whopping 85%, with those over $10 million batting slightly better than 500. Among the larger requests was a spectacular win by Atlanta-Fulton Public Library. Its request for a $275 million bond for the most extensive library building program in Georgia's history was approved by voters at a rate of two to one. In California, the Palo Alto City Library will build new and expand existing libraries with $76 million approved by nearly 70% of its constituents. And in Idaho, the Boise Basin Library District won a fight for its very life when voters supported the library with 81% of the ballot. The economy's health impacted voter support in different ways. With economists continuing to predict that things are likely to get worse before they get better, the chances of catching voters in a good mood in 2009 (or 2010...) are slim. Libraries with referenda on the ballot this year are likely to face a populace worn thin by corporate bailouts and an uncertain future. In this article, the author discusses what libraries can and should learn from the libraries that fought and won in 2008. (Contains 5 tables.)
title Library Referenda 2008: Libraries Build the Case for Voter Support
topic Bond Issues
Library Facilities
Financial Support
Voting
Public Libraries
Public Support
Library Development
url https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ839615