This article originally appeared in the January-February 2000 issue of the Children's Advocate newsmagazine, published by Action Alliance for Children.

PROPOSITION 14: California Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act

Prepared by Yvette Artiga

This state bond measure provides $350 million in general obligation bonds for public library construction and renovation. City, county, and district libraries will be able to apply for library fund grants to be administered by the state librarian.

Arguments for

• Libraries provide a safe place for students to study and do homework and for adults to gain practical skills through a variety of adult learning programs.
• With this statewide source of money for construction, local funds could be freed up to extend library hours, buy more books, expand reading programs, increase library visits to local schools, or offer more adult learning opportunities.
• This measure ensures that libraries that partner with school districts will get first priority for funding for new construction and remodeling projects.
• Funding library construction is an investment in literacy, learning, and libraries.
• Library use has continued to grow, even as interest in the Internet has also grown. In fact, libraries are key points of Internet access, especially for low-income people.

Supporters: California Library Association, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, California Teachers Association, and the League of Women Voters of California. For campaign information call Californians for Literacy and Community Libraries, (916) 737-9325.

Arguments against

• Local governments will not receive any of the bond money unless they provide 35 percent matching funds for each project.
• Bonds are the most expensive way to build or renovate libraries. Taxpayers will be stuck paying for these bonds, with interest.
• With new computer technology and the growth of the Internet, the library improvements funded by this bond may be obsolete in five years.
• We should insist that the tax dollars we already pay keep our current libraries open a decent number of hours.

Opponents: The National Tax-Limitation Committee, Black Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles County. For campaign information call (916) 786-9400.