The Sunnyvale Sun

Letters & Opinions

Say 'yes' to right-now source of some library funding

By Jim Griffith

California's education system faces difficult times. Of all its education services, California libraries have been hit the hardest. The state's Public Library Fund, which provides money directly to local libraries, has been cut from $56.8 million in 2000/01 to $14.4 million this year, a 78 percent reduction. Libraries across the state have had to close or reduce services in the wake of budget cuts at all levels of government. Thankfully, state representatives have recognized the problem, and they've addressed it by approving an initiative on the June ballot: Proposition 81.

Prop. 81 creates a $600 million bond issue to be used for the construction and renovation of California's libraries. Prop. 81 is a follow-up to 2000's Prop. 14, which created $350 million in bond money.

That amount proved to be drastically insufficient, with accepted projects totaling more than $500 million.

Prop. 81 addresses this deficiency and allocates additional funds for new projects. With the passage of this proposition, a city can apply for funds amounting to 65 percent of the cost of constructing or renovating library facilities, up to $20 million per project.

Sunnyvale can take particular advantage of the opportunity that Prop. 81 creates. The Sunnyvale library was built in 1961, and the new libraries in almost every nearby city have shown Sunnyvale residents just how outdated and inadequate Sunnyvale's library facilities have become.

On April 25, the city council took a step toward addressing this, by receiving the library's "Vision of the Future." The council directed library staff to begin gathering the "formal needs" process, "plan of service" and "building program." Like many, I hope this will result in the replacement or extensive renovation of the existing facility, sure to be an expensive endeavor. Obviously, there is no guarantee the city council will choose to make the library a priority, the city will act in time to take advantage of Prop. 81 funds, or Sunnyvale's Prop. 81 funding application will be accepted.

But if Sunnyvale wants to have a modern library capable of serving the needs of its community, it should not pass up the huge funding opportunity Prop. 81 offers--65 percent and up to $20 million toward library construction is too attractive an offer to ignore.

For the sake of education in California, for the sake of children who depend on public libraries as an essential part of their education, and for the future of the Sunnyvale Public Library, Sunnyvale residents should step up this June and vote yes on Proposition 81.

Jim Griffith, writing as a private citizen, chairs the Board of Library Trustees.