Overall, library measures across the US continue to pass at a high rate. However, in many communities, the discourse over what materials can be held in certain sections of their libraries has escalated to people introducing ballot measures seeking to defund, shut down, or weaken the library’s authority. Tried and true campaign messaging, like touting … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2023: Campaign Stories
While libraries notched notable victories in 2022, some failed measures reflect broader cultural and economic shifts. One alarming trend: Organized groups of politically driven voters who oppose libraries carrying materials written by, about, and for LBGTQ people are banding together to reject levies that fund libraries—and fighting to get referenda on the ballot that defund … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2022: Final Report
While libraries notched many victories in 2022, some failed measures reflect broader cultural and economic shifts. For instance, in Jamestown Township, Michigan, a levy that would provide Patmos Library with 84% of its annual budget, failed on August 2 in large part because residents opposed to LGBTQ materials in the library’s collection campaigned against the … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2022: Initial Report
ALASKA In October Juneau voted 6,580–1,786 in favor of renewing the city’s 3% temporary sales tax for five years. A portion of the approved tax goes toward supporting libraries. ARKANSAS On November 9 Little Rock approved a library levy increase from 3.3 to 3.8 mills by a vote of 4,842–1,973. The increase represents the first … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2021: Final Report
Libraries notched many wins in 2021: In Illinois, the state’s April 6 election saw four of five ballot measures passing. To many library workers’ relief, a threatened reduction in Ohio’s support for public libraries—from 1.7% to 1.66% of the general fund—did not make it into the final version of the state’s budget. In addition, all … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2021
Other states having a big year: New York, where voters gave a collective thumbs-up to five of six library levies; and Illinois and West Virginia, which approved seven of seven and six of six referenda, respectively. Meanwhile, Arizona and New Mexico saw the successful passage of statewide measures. And Denver voters have opted to permit … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2020: Final Report
To get the ball rolling, here we present library referenda that have appeared since last year’s roundup. Check back after Election Day (November 3), as AL brings you the latest in library-related yeas and nays—from Colorado, where Denver voters will decide whether to allow the city to spend money on broadband internet for libraries and … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2020
In terms of the number of referenda approved, Ohio and New York were the front-runners; each boasted 20 or more victories. Colorado, too, had a big year, with at least eight measures passed. Update: This article was revised on November 13, December 5, and December 26. ALABAMA In Leeds, voters rejected a proposed property tax … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2019: Final Report
ALABAMA In Leeds, voters rejected a proposed property tax increase of 9 mills by 1,506 to 971 in January. The funds generated would have gone toward the construction of a new library as well as a new high school athletics complex and other projects. ARIZONA In Phoenix, Proposition 106—which would have capped budgets for some … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2019
It’s worth noting that several of this year’s losses came about via a narrow margin. In Bayfield, Colorado, for example, a proposal to increase the Pine River Public Library District’s mill levy from 2.5 to 4.5 mills failed by just 10 votes. And it took just 113 votes to defeat a tax rate increase that … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2018
This year we took a closer look at the population density of the communities that placed library referenda before the voters. The Institute of Museum and Library Services groups the nation’s 17,566 library outlets into four geographic locales: cities, suburbs, towns, and rural areas. While all public libraries strive to transform communities through innovative programs … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2016
The amount of requested funding ranged from a $22 million bond for two new libraries and renovations in Spokane Valley, Washington, to a no-cost advisory referendum in Colfax, Wisconsin, to assess voter preferences for its library facility. The Spokane Valley bond failed narrowly, with 57% of the 60% required voters saying yes. Colfax voters preferred … Continue reading Referenda Roundup
