Unfortunately, in many communities libraries are going the way of the dinosaur. This is ashame because libraries are among the most adaptive deposits of information–as information and its storage has changed, so too has the library, with computers, dvds, cds, and other electronic information storage devices helping to replace card catalogues, microfilm, and simple paper. Today the library looks vastly different from the libraries I frequented as a young child or even as a high school student.
Unfortunately, libraries seem to be among the lowest priorities for fundings from local governments starved for adequate resources. Across the nation, hours and collections have been cut back upon. And while university libraries remain vital out of necessity, public libraries are often in deep trouble.
However, Davis is different as we so much like to think. Davis is one of the few communities that is willing to spend taxpayer money to continue library services. And thus in 1989, the city of Davis was able to rescue the Davis Branch Library by passing a $3.50 monthly parcel tax that enabled the library to expand its hours when other were cutting theirs back, upgrade their book collection as others were cutting theirs back, and improve the service to the children and other area residents.
Now 18 years later, Davis residents have a chance to renew their commitment to lifelong learning in their community. A new parcel tax, Measure P, has been placed on the ballot. This parcel tax will increase to $88 per year which is around $7 a month.
To do that requires a two-thirds vote of the Davis voters. In many communities, that is a difficult threshold to meet, but not in Davis. Davis is one of those rare communities where both library and school taxes pass with regularity.
A vote for the library tax will enable the library to continue to stay open 60 hours a week, with hours every single day, nighttime hours, weekend hours, and Sunday hours. Ensure up-to-date book collections and reference materials. Make repairs to the current facility. Expand the children’s book collection, story times, and homework assistance programs while at the same time increasing space available for community groups and other organizations. Expand the Children’s and Young Adults’ libraries, adding computers, books, early literacy services, and assigning extra staff to focus on after-school programs. Increase the number of computers available for public use. And begin to look at providing library services to South Davis.
In a town where political differences punctuate our daily lives and conflict is the norm, it is important to note that every single elected official from the city of Davis is supporting this measure from Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, to the two Davis County Supervisors Mariko Yamada and Helen Thomson, to Sheriff Ed Prieto, to the five city councilmembers and five school board members, and even the public defender. All of them are listed endorsements for this important measure.
The choice is simply, for a slight increase of around $3.50 per month, you can keep the Davis Branch of the library open and flourishing. To me that seems like a no-brainer.
For further information about the measure or to endorse or support Measure P, please log onto to their website.
The Vanguard will have more information including interviews and guest commentary in the coming weeks as we move closer to the November 6, 2007 election which will include also the School Parcel Tax and the School Board elections. The Vanguard is your source for election information.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Gosh, DPD, what a marvelous, articulate and passionate endorsement of Measure P! While I am for libraries I wasn’t aware of all of the exciting possibilities. As an old woman, I have always loved books long before all of these new things came along. At any rate, thanks Doug.
Gosh, DPD, what a marvelous, articulate and passionate endorsement of Measure P! While I am for libraries I wasn’t aware of all of the exciting possibilities. As an old woman, I have always loved books long before all of these new things came along. At any rate, thanks Doug.
Gosh, DPD, what a marvelous, articulate and passionate endorsement of Measure P! While I am for libraries I wasn’t aware of all of the exciting possibilities. As an old woman, I have always loved books long before all of these new things came along. At any rate, thanks Doug.
Gosh, DPD, what a marvelous, articulate and passionate endorsement of Measure P! While I am for libraries I wasn’t aware of all of the exciting possibilities. As an old woman, I have always loved books long before all of these new things came along. At any rate, thanks Doug.
Is P offering more than necessary,
and thereby making it harder for voters to accept?
A two-thirds majority is a very high hurdle to overcome.
Keeping the present hours and staff levels is surely acceptable to all. Painting, replacing carpets and furniture would be relatively inexpensive and necessary.
The Davis Public Library already provides a very high level of service to the community. Enabling this service to continue as is, with the present hours of operation, should be the highest priority.
But the lion’s share of the tax will, as presently configured, go for construction of things not needed to continue the vital service the library provides to the community.
Expanding the Blanchard Community Room is not necessary and will add significantly to the tax.
Adding multi-function self-service checkout kiosks would be expensive and is not necessary. As a regular patron, I notice the current self-serve check-out stations are hardly ever used.
The library’s computers were funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and more than adequately meet demand.
Expanding bookshelf space is a laudable goal, but not really necessary in the immediate future.
Why not pursue the goal of improving the library in stages?
Offer, in the future, a separate tax to fund more book purchases, magazine subscriptions and shelf space expansion–which, after all goes to the library’s essential mission. Then voters will be more inclined to accept a smaller tax.
In conclusion, if Measure P were modified, after a hard, practical look was taken at what’s really necessary to sustain the current high standards of the Davis Public Library’s service to the community, it would stand a much better chance of passing.
Is P offering more than necessary,
and thereby making it harder for voters to accept?
A two-thirds majority is a very high hurdle to overcome.
Keeping the present hours and staff levels is surely acceptable to all. Painting, replacing carpets and furniture would be relatively inexpensive and necessary.
The Davis Public Library already provides a very high level of service to the community. Enabling this service to continue as is, with the present hours of operation, should be the highest priority.
But the lion’s share of the tax will, as presently configured, go for construction of things not needed to continue the vital service the library provides to the community.
Expanding the Blanchard Community Room is not necessary and will add significantly to the tax.
Adding multi-function self-service checkout kiosks would be expensive and is not necessary. As a regular patron, I notice the current self-serve check-out stations are hardly ever used.
The library’s computers were funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and more than adequately meet demand.
Expanding bookshelf space is a laudable goal, but not really necessary in the immediate future.
Why not pursue the goal of improving the library in stages?
Offer, in the future, a separate tax to fund more book purchases, magazine subscriptions and shelf space expansion–which, after all goes to the library’s essential mission. Then voters will be more inclined to accept a smaller tax.
In conclusion, if Measure P were modified, after a hard, practical look was taken at what’s really necessary to sustain the current high standards of the Davis Public Library’s service to the community, it would stand a much better chance of passing.
Is P offering more than necessary,
and thereby making it harder for voters to accept?
A two-thirds majority is a very high hurdle to overcome.
Keeping the present hours and staff levels is surely acceptable to all. Painting, replacing carpets and furniture would be relatively inexpensive and necessary.
The Davis Public Library already provides a very high level of service to the community. Enabling this service to continue as is, with the present hours of operation, should be the highest priority.
But the lion’s share of the tax will, as presently configured, go for construction of things not needed to continue the vital service the library provides to the community.
Expanding the Blanchard Community Room is not necessary and will add significantly to the tax.
Adding multi-function self-service checkout kiosks would be expensive and is not necessary. As a regular patron, I notice the current self-serve check-out stations are hardly ever used.
The library’s computers were funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and more than adequately meet demand.
Expanding bookshelf space is a laudable goal, but not really necessary in the immediate future.
Why not pursue the goal of improving the library in stages?
Offer, in the future, a separate tax to fund more book purchases, magazine subscriptions and shelf space expansion–which, after all goes to the library’s essential mission. Then voters will be more inclined to accept a smaller tax.
In conclusion, if Measure P were modified, after a hard, practical look was taken at what’s really necessary to sustain the current high standards of the Davis Public Library’s service to the community, it would stand a much better chance of passing.
Is P offering more than necessary,
and thereby making it harder for voters to accept?
A two-thirds majority is a very high hurdle to overcome.
Keeping the present hours and staff levels is surely acceptable to all. Painting, replacing carpets and furniture would be relatively inexpensive and necessary.
The Davis Public Library already provides a very high level of service to the community. Enabling this service to continue as is, with the present hours of operation, should be the highest priority.
But the lion’s share of the tax will, as presently configured, go for construction of things not needed to continue the vital service the library provides to the community.
Expanding the Blanchard Community Room is not necessary and will add significantly to the tax.
Adding multi-function self-service checkout kiosks would be expensive and is not necessary. As a regular patron, I notice the current self-serve check-out stations are hardly ever used.
The library’s computers were funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and more than adequately meet demand.
Expanding bookshelf space is a laudable goal, but not really necessary in the immediate future.
Why not pursue the goal of improving the library in stages?
Offer, in the future, a separate tax to fund more book purchases, magazine subscriptions and shelf space expansion–which, after all goes to the library’s essential mission. Then voters will be more inclined to accept a smaller tax.
In conclusion, if Measure P were modified, after a hard, practical look was taken at what’s really necessary to sustain the current high standards of the Davis Public Library’s service to the community, it would stand a much better chance of passing.
If we don’t support this relatively small tax for such great services provided by our libraries then what does it say abut us as a community? Thank you DPD for this article.
If we don’t support this relatively small tax for such great services provided by our libraries then what does it say abut us as a community? Thank you DPD for this article.
If we don’t support this relatively small tax for such great services provided by our libraries then what does it say abut us as a community? Thank you DPD for this article.
If we don’t support this relatively small tax for such great services provided by our libraries then what does it say abut us as a community? Thank you DPD for this article.
“Relatively small tax?” Easy to say if you live in El Macero, I guess. The point is, as Anonymous 8/26/07 9:57 AM says, the proposed tax could be a lot smaller, and more acceptable to all Davis voters (not just the affluent ones), if Measure P didn’t have all the construction riders attached to it.
“Relatively small tax?” Easy to say if you live in El Macero, I guess. The point is, as Anonymous 8/26/07 9:57 AM says, the proposed tax could be a lot smaller, and more acceptable to all Davis voters (not just the affluent ones), if Measure P didn’t have all the construction riders attached to it.
“Relatively small tax?” Easy to say if you live in El Macero, I guess. The point is, as Anonymous 8/26/07 9:57 AM says, the proposed tax could be a lot smaller, and more acceptable to all Davis voters (not just the affluent ones), if Measure P didn’t have all the construction riders attached to it.
“Relatively small tax?” Easy to say if you live in El Macero, I guess. The point is, as Anonymous 8/26/07 9:57 AM says, the proposed tax could be a lot smaller, and more acceptable to all Davis voters (not just the affluent ones), if Measure P didn’t have all the construction riders attached to it.
I am definitely not affluent and I support measure P. I don’t live in El Macero; however I understand the importance of it and will vote “yes.” If it causes a hardship for some they can apply for a waiver.
I am definitely not affluent and I support measure P. I don’t live in El Macero; however I understand the importance of it and will vote “yes.” If it causes a hardship for some they can apply for a waiver.
I am definitely not affluent and I support measure P. I don’t live in El Macero; however I understand the importance of it and will vote “yes.” If it causes a hardship for some they can apply for a waiver.
I am definitely not affluent and I support measure P. I don’t live in El Macero; however I understand the importance of it and will vote “yes.” If it causes a hardship for some they can apply for a waiver.
“Apply for a waiver”? What that does that mean? A person could vote for the tax and then not have to pay for it?
Why not simply make P more realistic and less expensive in terms of the goals it would seek to fund, and thus enable all Davisites who support the library to vote for it?
“Apply for a waiver”? What that does that mean? A person could vote for the tax and then not have to pay for it?
Why not simply make P more realistic and less expensive in terms of the goals it would seek to fund, and thus enable all Davisites who support the library to vote for it?
“Apply for a waiver”? What that does that mean? A person could vote for the tax and then not have to pay for it?
Why not simply make P more realistic and less expensive in terms of the goals it would seek to fund, and thus enable all Davisites who support the library to vote for it?
“Apply for a waiver”? What that does that mean? A person could vote for the tax and then not have to pay for it?
Why not simply make P more realistic and less expensive in terms of the goals it would seek to fund, and thus enable all Davisites who support the library to vote for it?
You obviously have not read the language. When a measure is passed that causes a hardship on people on fixed incomes they may apply for a waiver.
I am happy that resients in Davis value libraries.
You obviously have not read the language. When a measure is passed that causes a hardship on people on fixed incomes they may apply for a waiver.
I am happy that resients in Davis value libraries.
You obviously have not read the language. When a measure is passed that causes a hardship on people on fixed incomes they may apply for a waiver.
I am happy that resients in Davis value libraries.
You obviously have not read the language. When a measure is passed that causes a hardship on people on fixed incomes they may apply for a waiver.
I am happy that resients in Davis value libraries.