Multnomah Co. Online Voters' Guide
November 2006 General Election

Multnomah County

Measure No. 26-81

Referred To The Voters of Multnomah County by the Board of County Commissioners.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Continue Multnomah County Library Services

Measure 26-81 will replace the current library levy. Its cost will be 89 cents per $1,000 assessed value per year. According to the County Department of Assessment and Taxation, the average single family home would pay about $11.13 per month for this levy.

RESULT OF A 'YES' VOTE

Measure 26-81 provides over half the library's funds. Voting yes will renew funding for current library programs and services.

Library Services Expected To Be Maintained Include:

• Library services for young and school-aged children – story hours for babies and toddlers, homework help, summer reading, and services for children in child care;

• Multnomah County libraries open at least six days a week for an average of 53-58 hours each;

• Central Library and neighborhood libraries open Sunday afternoons;

• Services to seniors including computer classes and book delivery for those who are homebound;

• Library services for jobseekers, small business owners, and English language learners;

• Buying new books, magazines, and other library materials.

The library levy will also provide funds to operate planned branches in underserved neighborhoods of North Portland and East County, which will open during the course of this five-year levy.

Measure 26-81 will fund continued hours and services at Multnomah County libraries including Central Library and:

How Are Libraries Used?

• 52,000 kids participated in the Library's Summer Reading program in 2005, which includes over half of the county's elementary school children.

• More than 300,000 people attend library programs and events for children and teens each year.

• Each day about 13,000 people visit the 17 libraries.

• An average of 28 books are checked out every year for every man, woman, and child in the county.

• Librarians and library staff provide personal help an average of 90,000 times each week – answering questions, reading stories, checking out books, assisting students after school, and more.

• The library provides 24/7 online access to information, learning resources, and the library catalog.

• Library outreach programs to schools make nearly 120,000 contacts with students and teachers during the school year;

RESULT OF A 'NO' VOTE

The library receives over 55% of its funding from the current voter-approved levy. If the library levy is not renewed, library services will be greatly reduced. New branches will not open, others will be open fewer hours, fewer books will be purchased, and many neighborhood libraries will close.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

As teachers we really count on our libraries.

As classroom teachers, we are dedicated to giving our students the best possible education and the opportunity for the best possible future.

Libraries are one of our most important partners in that effort.

The importance of libraries starts long before children enter their first classroom. Few things are a more accurate indicator of academic success than students starting school ready to learn. Libraries are the most significant community resource in teaching kids to read and enjoy learning.

It's not just about books and a building: librarians are a great resource as well, teaching both kids and teachers how to use a library and find information.

Libraries help us in the school building as well: programs like Books 2 U and School Corps bring library resources into the classroom.

In fact, our Multnomah County Libraries have never been more important to our public schools: school libraries and staff have been reduced from school budgets. As teachers, we very much need the library to be there, making sure kids have access to information.

Over 50% of the library's budget comes from this levy. Cutting library funding in half would hurt our community, hurt our schools, and make it much more difficult for our kids to learn.

Please vote yes for our libraries:
They help teachers teach, and students succeed!

VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-81

Elizabeth Cannon, Teacher (Gresham High School)

Rebecca Erickson (Laurelhurst School)

William Herbert, Teacher (Walt Morey Middle School)

Marilyn Karr (Laurelhurst School)

Rob Melton, Teacher (Benson High School)

Joan Nicholas, Teacher (Glenfair Elementary School)

KD Parman, Teacher (George Middle School)

Portland Association of Teachers

Bryan Smith, Teacher (Benson High School)

Michele Stemler, Teacher (Grant High School)

Nadine Trinchero, Teacher (Chapman Elementary)

(This information furnished by KD Parman)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Libraries for Kids (and parents too)!

As a parent, it is hard to think of a better resource for my family and all children than our local libraries.

Our local library certainly makes a difference for our family:

• Safe, constructive, and open for all, the library is the place our kids began a lifelong journey of learning.

• That started long before they began school: the library prepared them to learn, teaching a love of reading through programs like book babies and story time.

• Once they entered school, the library was an invaluable partner in their education, providing homework help and teaching them how to use library resources.

We love and count on our local library, and our family is far from alone. Here are two amazing statistics: 50% of the county's elementary school children participate in summer reading, 300,000 people a year participate in the libraries' programs for children.

Without the library levy, there is no way the library will be able to continue to provide the wonderful and needed services to our kids and families: over 50% of the library's budget comes from this levy.

Please join me in voting Yes on Measure 26-81!

Tricia Snyder-Neiwert, parent

(This information furnished by Tricia Snyder-Neiwert )

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Let Libraries continue to serve senior citizens

I've lived for a long time (more years than I would like to admit!) I've been around long enough to know how important our libraries are to our community. Supporting our libraries is one of the best values around.

This is especially true for older residents of Multnomah County.

We all love the library because it is a place of learning. Libraries offer constructive activities for young people, help with homework, reading programs, and help keep kids out of trouble.

But libraries serve seniors like us in several important ways:

• Older adults use the library daily to check out materials, volunteer, meet up with friends, attend book groups, or sometimes just to see a friendly face.

• Programs like Cyber-Seniors offer help for seniors who want to know how to use computers. Many seniors use library computers to keep in touch with grandchildren and friends, make travel plans, and check on doctors and medication!

• And for those who can't make it to the library, our libraries reach out to nursing homes, those who are homebound, and those who face physical challenges.

These are just some of the reasons I am voting yes for our libraries.

And there are just two more thing I hope everyone understands:

Measure 26-81 is not a new tax. It continues the library levy and library services we approved a few years ago. In fact, we are pleased to have a chance to say ‘yes' to our libraries occasionally.

Over half of the library's day to day funding comes from the levy we are voting on. If it fails, all of us – seniors included- will lose a lot.

Our library is always there for everybody, no matter his or her circumstances. In these uncertain times, that's a real necessity – and something worth protecting.

Please join me in voting YES for our Libraries!

Elayne Scoofakes

(This information furnished by Elayne Scoofakes)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

The library is an invaluable resource for families

Our family started going to the library fifteen years ago. With two young kids, it was a great place to get us out of the house and one of the few places we could go for free. Now, the library is a part of our lives every day.

When the boys were little, we walked to the library for story time and other children's programs. Now that the kids are older, we still use the library but in different ways.

This summer for our family vacation we checked out guide books on Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons so we knew what to visit. We checked out 10 books on tape to listen to in the car, and of course, all of us had our favorite books from the library to read on our adventure.

Our kids now stop in at the teen lounge to do their homework and participate in programs for teens. My oldest son picks the librarian's brain for new books to read, and they use the library for school. Their homework often requires research but their school libraries do not have the collections that are necessary.

As a mom, my favorite part of the library is not just the books I check out. I love that the library is a part of our community. I see people I know there every day. My kids can go there after school, and it's a place I know they will be safe. It's still one of the rare things our family can do together.

The library is a part of our life. Given the high cost of raising kids, having free access to books, movies, cd's, magazines, and the internet helps us make ends meet.

It's our turn to be there for the library.
We're voting yes on 26-81 to renew funding for our libraries.

Anne Pearson, parent

(This information furnished by Anne Pearson)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

A Message from Library Volunteers

Well Loved. Well Used.
The Library is an incredible value.

As library volunteers we are in the libraries every day. We have a first-hand view of what a great value our libraries are and how much they mean to people.

We like to think we're one of the reasons libraries are a good deal: between the Friends of the Library, the Library Advisory Board, The Library Foundation, and in-library volunteers, there are nearly 2,000 of us helping out every year making every library dollar go further.

And those dollars do go far:

• Over 13,000 people use the libraries every day.
• Our Multnomah County Libraries have the highest total circulation in the country (that's right, higher circulation than New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and all the others). We think that says something wonderful about our community.
• And if you are careful with your money, here is the fact that you will really appreciate: our library system is ranked by the Urban Libraries Council as the most cost-efficient large public library system in the nation.

Measure 26-81 is the only way to keep all these great things going.

The Library Levy is the way we fund our libraries: the levy provides more than half of the libraries' funding.

We work hard as volunteers, but there is certainly no way we could make up a 50% budget cut!

Libraries are a great investment, and our local Multnomah County Libraries are the greatest.

Let's keep a great thing going:
Vote YES for Our Libraries!

Friends of the Multnomah County Library

(This information furnished by Stephanie Vardavas, Friends of the Multnomah County Library)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Local librarians Ask for YOUR Support.

There is nothing more wonderful than seeing a child learn to love reading, a teenager discovering a new world, or a grandparent learning from a grandchild how to use a computer.

As librarians we love our jobs. We know that the programs and services we offer make a difference in people's lives and improve our communities.

Every one of our neighborhood libraries is unique. But every branch shares one thing in common – your support. Our 17 library locations check out more materials than any other library system in the United States. And, we've been ranked the most cost efficient library system of our size in the country!

Being a librarian is a wonderful job, and we're very proud of the work we do. We are also very lucky and grateful to be part of a community that uses and supports their libraries.

The library levy is how we pay for our libraries. Over 55% of the libraries funds come from this levy. If the levy does not pass, many of our neighborhood libraries will close, and the remaining branches will be forced to cut hours and programs.

Measure 26-81 will keep our libraries open and offering the
same programs and services that we've come to depend on.

We hope you'll join us in renewing funding for your local library (see the list below) by supporting Measure 26-81.

(This information furnished by Andrea R. Milano)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Our libraries are there for all of us

Libraries are one of the issues we don't have to think twice about voting yes for. But just in case you are not fully decided, here are three important reasons to vote Yes on Measure 26-81:

1. Libraries are important partners to our schools. They provide reading programs to children, homework help and after school programs that help kids succeed. Librarians help teachers and students use public library resources. In fact, in some schools a library card is on the list of school supplies!
2. Libraries are invaluable resources for families. With the costs of raising children, having free access to books, magazines, learning materials, and reading programs can make a real difference to a family. And for homebound seniors or those who have trouble getting to the library, the library will bring books to their homes.
3. Libraries provide free access to information and learning for everyone. Whether you're trying to figure out a career, learn a new skill, or start a hobby – whether you're 15 or retired, have a PhD, or are working on a GED; the Library is there for you. We all use the library in many ways – and the library is there for all of us.

With 50% of funding on the line, voting yes means our libraries will stay open and continue providing great services for all of us in the community.

Regardless of where you live in Multnomah County, the library is a service you can rely on. Please join us in voting Yes for our libraries.

Terry McCall, resident, City of Gresham
Diane McKeel, East Multnomah County Resident

(This information furnished by Terry McCall)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Small Businesses Rely on Our libraries too!

In 2001, we sat down to plan our new restaurant menu. We both love Italian food and our vision was to create an authentic Italian pastaria. We had recipes and ideas but needed a crash course on Italy. As most small business owners, we couldn't afford to buy books that might have only one relevant idea, and we didn't have the resources to spend 6 months in Italy.

We stopped in at the library to see if they had any cookbooks. We were amazed at what was available at our library!

Not only did the library have a huge assortment of cookbooks, but it also had a wide variety of books about Italian food traditions and wine. That day, we spent three hours in the library and checked out as many books as we could carry. We found so many we had to ask the library staff how many we could check out at one time.

We went back four times and must have looked at every book in the cookbook section. The books we found about Italy in the travel and agri-tourism section were even more interesting and influenced our menu in just as many ways. In fact, it was at the library that we learned how different shapes of pasta are specific to certain regions in Italy. We've passed on this pasta lore to customers in “Know Your Noodle” on our menu.

Our restaurant has grown from one to four locations. We can honestly say that the library was a key to our business opening and being a success. For us, that means providing over 100 jobs and helping our economy. And we know many other businesses for whom the library played the same role.

Please join us in voting Yes on Measure 26-81, for our libraries!

Susan & Craig Bashel, Co-Owners, Pastini Restaurants

(This information furnished by Susan L. Bashel,
Pastini Restaurants)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

As a mother, I want to keep my kids safe.

I am glad that our libraries work to keep my kids safe too!

This can be a scary time to be a parent. It is very important to me that my kids have safe and constructive places to go. For me, the library is at the top of that list.

We go there for story times and to check out books, movies, and magazines; and my kids go there to use the computer

With all that is available on the Internet, I am so glad that the library has kept the concerns of parents in mind when they set their policies on computer use.

Librarians worked closely with parents to develop policies that protect children from viewing objectionable material. All computers in all the children's area have filtering software. Even as my kids get older, the library gives me the choice to keep their access to the internet filtered.

I'm glad that we have that choice: I don't want someone else making the decision for me about what my children can and cannot look at.

And I know that the librarians and other staff keep a close eye on kids to keep them safe.

The library makes my community a safer place to be. I am proud to support it and very enthusiastic about voting YES on the Library Levy that keeps the doors open, and the library enriching the lives of all of our families.

We love our library and the good people who make it work!
PLEASE VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-81

Rocio Bates, Parent & Gresham Resident

(This information furnished by Rocio A. Bates)

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION

My daughter was exposed to pornography at the Multnomah County Library…
…and we're all paying for it!
I'm voting NO on Measure 26-81

My 10-year-old daughter Heidi was exposed to graphic pornography while standing next to me at the Gresham branch of the Multnomah County Library.

Because of library policy, this kind of incident is not as rare as we'd all like to think. Since my daughter's horrific experience I've heard the stories of dozens of patrons who have been unwillingly exposed to internet pornography at our libraries. The library should be a safe place. It should be a place where children can't see images of violence against women, child pornography, and sexual acts. But, right now, that's not the case.

The Multnomah Country Library is using our tax dollars to allow unfiltered access to images that are harmful to kids and degrading to women. Though they have the needed filtering software, they allow patrons over age 13 to access pornography in public view. (Even though people can't legally view porn until they're 18!)

The library's Internet policy is also costing us money. In 2004 Multnomah County decided not to follow the Children's Internet Protection Act that was signed by President Clinton. It provides funding to libraries that use filters to help remove obscene images, child pornography, and material harmful to children. In the first year alone, the library gave up $104,000.

Now, we're being asked to provide millions of dollars to an organization that isn't putting children's safety first.

We can't afford to have our kids exposed to pornography. That's why I'm urging all Multnomah County residents to vote NO on levies, until the library adheres to the common-sense policies of the Children's Internet Protection Act.

Toni Manning,
Executive Director

Friends For Safer Libraries
PO Box 586, Fairview OR 97024
503-972-8208
info@friendsforsaferlibraries.org

http://www.friendsforsaferlibraries.org/

(This information furnished by
Toni Manning,Friends For Safer Libraries)