Library tax enjoys strong support - Santa Cruz Sentinel

County Supervisor Jan Beautz remembers when pickets protested the library in downtown Santa Cruz, frustrated that dwindling government money was forcing leaders to cut hours and books.

[Steve Hartman]

EIGHT point THREE million dollars for libraries and less than 300,000 people in the county. Well let's see, 8,300,000 divided by 300,000 =$27.66 for every man, woman, and child in the county.

The question I have is: How many tens of thousands never set foot in the library but have to pay anyway?

Between mismanagement of the system, workers' comp. payments, and the number of people who use the library strictly for computer access to internet porn, doesn't anybody feel like they're getting just a little bit ripped off?

[Westsider]

I heartily agree with Steve's commentary. There are numerous reports of fiscal abuse and waste that are simply not being reported by the Sentinel.

I use the library services on a regular basis, but only step into my neighborhood branch when I need to pick up a book that I've requested online. The main branch downtown has become a thoroughly unpleasant environment. Over the years, it has become a de facto daytime homeless shelter and let's not even mention the other unsavory characters that go there to indulge their internet addictions.

Why not have an independent audit and unbiased citizen review of library services and spending before handing over a permanent tax increase?

[neighbor]

Vote grabbing, Troll Motel Senior Centers. Glad Beautz is history, Live Oak is any wear USA because of her.

[disabuser]

" Before the tax increase in 1996,... employee salaries had stagnated ..."

Bet that's no longer a problem.

[book buyer]

No to library taxes. First of all we should consolidate the libraries, have one in San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Put some pride in them. Our largest library in Santa Cruz is a dump. It has the potential to be fabulous, but most people in Santa Cruz are satisfied with mediocrity, never excellence.

Next, publish the librarians' salaries and benefits. Let's see where our money is going.

My personal experience with the library system is that they seldom have any newly published books available. The first time I took my kids to the SC downtown library they were almost bitten by a homeless person's dog tied up next to the library. In jr. high my child wanted a book on Henry Ford for a school project, but we were only able to find outdated books that focused on how Henry Ford hated the Jews. So that's why I buy my own books now.

[Lianne]

With the benefit of online ordering and delivery of books to any branch in the library system, do we really need to build more libraries? The planned Felton library is 8000 sf. Seems excessive.

I for one am simply tired of taxes. If it's not someone's pet water takeover project, then it's funding for big, shiny new buildings on a school campus with declining enrollment.

I've had quite enough of certain community groups' pet projects. They need to find a real job.

[No On Library Tax]

How much of the general fund was being used to pay for our libraries prior to the 1996 tax and how much is being used currently? I'll bet it is much less from the general fund today than then, even though it is 11 years later.

This is the ruse. Add a 'tax' for services that were already being funded, then take the general fund monies and spend it on politicians pet non-profits (Center for Non-Violence, Homeless (bum) programs, welfare artist centers (Saltz property), bicycle lanes, etc.

If we vote no, politicians will have to put pressure during the budget process to fund basic necessary community programs such as libraries (or fixing roads) and only then can we eliminate much of this wasteful spending on salaries and put projects.

Welfare art colony indeed. Absurd. Libraries or Subsidized Art Colony? Let's put that on the ballot and see if it is supported. Ha!

[Lianne]

The whole pet nonprofit gig is worth discussion as well. Many are set up just to give a friend of the Supervisor or Council member a desk, a title and 60-90k/year. Multiply that by all the useless nonprofits in the county and you've got some serious money.

[Jaydog]

Librarians are folks who have degrees in Library science and are responsible for MILLIONS of dollars in materials.
I do not believe that so many people in my community disguise their anti-literacy stances behind one of less taxes. What a sad, greedy place this has become. If we let these people take charge we will be Bakersfield-by-the-sea in no time. No culture, no class. If I don't use it, I shouldn't have to pay for it attitudes are selfish and short sighted. Not everyone can afford to buy new books, nor should they. Why contribute to excessive consumption when we can reuse things?
Really? We are anti-library now?
Anti-bike, anti-environment, anti-people....
Most of you are anti-santa cruz, so why are you here?

[neighbor]

Jaydog; We are here because of the natural beauty, some are here out of circumstance, some never make a stance. If you cannot view others with other views than you belong in the library. Some of us are sick and tired of the entitlements, very expensive ones that are paid by our taxes. That is the argument, not anti people, anti Santa Cruz or excess consumption, calm down Jaydog you need some quiet time at the library, keep your passion for your lover.

[Ben Dair]

Wow! Jaydog. You come from the land of clueless.

[Harry Merkin]

Strong Tax Support By Whom? This is always the answer by the Liberal Forced Diversity Wimps that have taken over this county and ruined it for everyone. they have to put their hands back in their pockets and shut up.

I agree with everyone here except Jaydog who is clueless anyway. Sorry Jaydog. Got to call-em like I see-um.

I also agree there should only be 3 libraries. Sell off the little libraries which are not open much anyway. And put the money into, oh lets say, something that is not a social entitlement based program.

Steve Hartman- Great Point
Westsider- Got make sure it is independent. I don't trust anyone here.
Book Buyer- I Agree!

From someone who has transplanted from the east coast I have to tell you this county, other than the weather truley is in sad shape.

[Jaydog]

I come from Dominican Hospital. And typing into the blogs is not making a stand. Neighbor, I do belong in the library, with others who enjoy reading instead of watching TV and complaining to oblivion. Where are your "No on R' signs? Where are your letters to the editor? Where are your anti-library candidates? Why are you not running for office? Oh yeah, you're too busy watching FOX news and blogging. Too busy to do anything but whine online.

[Ben Dair]

Seems to me that the 2 dissenters here don't get it. It is not an "anti library" or "anti literacy" stance by any stretch of the imagination. Rather there is an enlightening awareness of Santa Cruz County and City's pervasive waste of public funds and unrelenting attack on the taxpayer. And what does FOX news have to do with this?

[America in Decline]

I support having a viable library system. And I use it regularly.

But the books are so frackin' dated.

Many of the books are irrelevant. And I bet a big chunk of them haven't been checked out in 20 years.

Most of the tax money should be going to buying new books instead of corrupt bureaucrats.

And the Downtown Library does look like a daytime homeless shelter.

[Downtown Library]

is a homeless shelter in the day.

But so many of them hanging there aren't reading it is just a places to park their "borrowed" shopping carts, sleep in the benches, use the restroom and smoke.

The smoking is the crappy part for sure.

I will not go to the downtown library.

[Mark Dem Ballots]

The county must have a Committee to Sit Around and Think of New Ways to Spend Money All Day.

[patty]

Most downtown libraries have problems with the homeless. Google it, and you'll find librarians struggling to come up with a solution. Maybe you should start suggesting solutions or supporting stricter policies rather than just whine about it.

And I almost always find the books I want, new and old.

Democracy = libraries. And closing libraries in a county this spread out does not support that premise.

[Sofa King Wee Todd Did]

Dont allow it they will just make it a place for becky and her lowlife friends to play grabasss.
they hosed the city for the rispin and now no money for library.

[Planner]

I've got really mixed feelings on this one. Here's why:

The $27 is trivial. I read that much last year, easily. Anybody price new books lately? And nobody I know is getting rich as a librarian, although I will say the library head knocks down a hefty salary.

I voted for the original tax. It was supposed to be temporary, to help the county over a rough spot. That tax still has 5 years to run. Voting to make it permanent now means the county can just wash its hands of this. Then in five or ten years when they need more money, the library budget won't even be in the general fund, and we will be asked to increase the special tax. I say vote "No" this time around, and let the county and the cities think hard about the next 5 years.