Six years ago, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce endorsed Measure C, a City of San Rafael parcel tax ballot measure to support the City’s public library. At that time, budget constraints were seriously impacting the Library’s ability to deliver quality services. The ballot measure passed with more than 70% voter approval.
Since its passage, Measure C has kept the library open for longer hours and on weekends, and has helped the Library to continue to meet the ever-increasing demand for print and digital content. The funding has also enabled the Library continue to deliver quality programs to children and adults alike, and to provide literacy and educational resources for residents of all ages. Details about how the tax proceeds have been used (overseen by a citizen committee) can be found at
www.supportsanrafaellibraries.com/6years/
This year’s ballot measure will continue the financial support the Library needs to deliver high quality services and programs. This support is needed now more than ever as the Library meets the challenges of changing technologies and demographics in our richly diverse community. The downtown branch, located steps away from San Rafael’s Fourth Street retail corridor, serves, on average, more than 1,000 visitors daily. And the knowledge base contained in the library’s print and digital content collections is available to both business users and job seekers alike.
To keep up with overall cost trends, the amount of the tax will increase slightly from $49 to $59 per parcel, with a consumer price index increase not to exceed 3% annually. This will allow the Library to maintain funding and service levels consistent with the goals of the 2010 voter-approved plan. The Chamber endorses Measure D.
