yeslibraries

We saved the library !

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:11:38 GMT

Thanks to everyone who voted YES !

Thanks to all the volunteers and people who worked info booths, displayed signs, wore buttons, and most importantly talked to your neighbors !

Over half of the voters who submitted a ballot in the Whatcom County library levy proposition, voted YES !

This has bought the library system some time and breathing room, so that we can continue to enjoy the services and level of open hours that we have currently.

Thanks !
Richard May, chair, Yes, Libraries ! campaign.

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Great explanation

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:18:36 GMT

This is a wonderful letter to the editor in the Bellingham Herald, followed by very clear explanations :

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/letters/story/1049927.html

two exerpts from the comments :

Larry wrote on 09/01/2009 12:19:04 PM:

"...it provides no protective floor resulting in a steady decline in funds relative to population." - L.S.

HOW is there a steady decline in funds as a population increases? As a population INCREASES doesn't the area's tax base follow??? EG: Every new house built is ANOTHER tax engine that wasn't there to supply taxes before. Shouldn't tax revenues therefore INCREASE?

mjdurb wrote on 09/01/2009 03:13:57 PM:

Larry,
Library or school levies are voted as a fixed amount of money for a fixed amount of time, then they expire. If population increases, new houses are built, etc., the levy amount stays the same & the cost is spread out among all property owners. In other words, as more houses are built & taxed, the amount each pays on the levy goes down. Levies don't increase as the tax base expands. Hope that helps.

Action Meetings !

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:33:48 GMT

All people who want to help support the library campaign, please be welcome to one of the following meetings :

1. Sudden Valley July 29 6:30 p.m. at the Rotunda
to include people served by southern bookmobile stops

2. Lynden July 30 at 7 p.m.
to include people served by Lynden, Blaine, Birch Bay and Pt. Roberts libraries

3. Ferndale August 3 7 p.m.
to include people served by Ferndale and the Lummi Island libraries.

There is only a few months left to get the word out and restore funding to the library system.

Come find out how you can help.

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Let the voters decide

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:25:54 GMT

Check the blog responses to the Bellingham Herald's most recent article :

www.bellinghamherald.com/315/story/857339.html

Seems the overwhelming message is that the people like being able to choose what taxes they pay. A voluntary small increase for services we want is quite different from other taxes being raised and spent without our consent and approval.

More press !

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 05:50:06 GMT

Bellingham Herald laid out a long article about the needs of the Whatcom Libraries.

www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/848401.html

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Library use increases as recession continues

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:35:13 GMT

Whatcom County library use increases as recession continues !

According to THIS ARTICLE in the Bellingham Herald, As the recession deepens, more cost-conscious consumers are turning to public libraries to save a few dollars - opting to borrow books and movies instead of buying and renting, or surfing the Internet without having to pay for the connection.

Check out the article.

www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/839537.html
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Ready, Set, ...GO.

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:02:18 GMT

Update : March 17, 2009

The 10 libraries of the Whatcom County Library System have been running efficiently and have not been making any big fancy moves, but due to the 1% cap on property tax increases, bit by bit the library system has had to use up all its reserves. Planet Earth just simply increases in cost by more than 1% per year, no matter how efficient you are.

In order to survive, the library will either have to cut services and hours, or ask for a modest increase in the library levy that we pay each year on our property tax.

The adventure has just begun, volunteers are needed, supporters are needed, send an email to yeslibraries at live dot com, and visit www.yeslibraries.com

Thanks !