Library Measure A Special Tax Passes

For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2013

Voters Ensure Extension of Library Funding for 20 Years

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.  Measure A, the all-mail ballot recently sent to residents in the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) service area, has passed according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.  The final, unofficial results indicate that Measure A passed by 81 percent.

Measure A asked for a continuation of the existing special tax rates of $33.66 per single-family home without any increase in taxes. Voters chose to ensure the extension of library funding for the next 20 years.

“Libraries are at the heart of our communities, and are essential to life-long education,” said Mayor of Morgan Hill Steve Tate, and Co-chair of the Measure A Campaign. “We led the 2013 campaign because we strongly believe in the powerful role of public libraries.”

Measure A accounts for 18 percent of SCCLD revenue and is needed to maintain library hours and services.  These special tax funds help keep qualified librarians on staff, provide an award-winning bookmobile program, maintain children’s reading programs and purchase needed books and up-to-date research materials.

“Without Measure A funds, our patrons would experience significant cut backs and changes in services and programs,” said Gilbert Wong, Chair of the Library’s Joint Powers Authority Board.   “Passing Measure A demonstrates just how much residents are willing to continue to invest and believe in the importance of maintaining such a strong community service.”

“The voters have clearly expressed how valuable libraries are to them,” said County of Santa Clara Supervisor Mike Wasserman, Delegate for the County Library District Joint Powers Authority. “The revenue collected by this tax will be returned directly to each local library. This funding will ensure more materials and open hours.”  

The Measure A campaign was co-chaired by Steve Tate, Mayor of Morgan Hill, and Library Joint Powers Authority Board member, and Dolly Sandoval, teacher and former Mayor of Cupertino.  Tate and Sandoval also co-chaired the successful measure ten years ago. 202,505 ballots were mailed to SCCLD residents at the end of July.  According to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, of the ballots issued, 55,149 were returned by the August 27^th deadline.

About the Santa Clara County Library District

Known as one of America’s best 100 public libraries, the Santa Clara County Library District promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.

For eleven years, the Library has ranked as one of the best in the nation for its size by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. Also recognized as one of America’s 2013 Star Libraries by Library Journal, the Santa Clara County Library District is one of the most-used public resources in the region.

The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2013, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 215,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.2 million visitors who borrowed 9.7 million items. Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.

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