Friends of the Oakland Public Library

"Public libraries receive less than 1% of all tax dollars and are used by more than 50 percent of the population."

- from the American Library Assn.'s 'Quotable Facts About America's Libraries'

Main Library Mural

Q & A

Measure Q - A Quality Library for Oakland

What is Measure Q?

Measure Q on the March 2, 2004 ballot reauthorizes the 1994 Library Services Retention and Enhancement Act (Measure O) with a slight increase to maintain and enhance current library services in the City of Oakland.

What services will Measure Q fund?

Measure Q will allow the Oakland Public Library to maintain crucial services at a time of major state and city cutbacks :

• Keep the Main Library open 7 days per week

• Expand branch hours to 6 days per week with more branches open on weekends

• Significantly increase the library’s budget to purchase books
and other material

• Retain a professional children’s librarian in every library

• Restore staff reductions in public services

• Operate the Library’s African American Museum and Library and its adult literacy program (Second Start)

• Upgrade and enhance information technology in all libraries and improve access to computers and other technology

• Increase joint educational activities with local schools

• Support the PASS! after-school homework program and other educational and cultural programs for children

• Support the Teen Services Program

• Operate a new joint school-public library in East Oakland

• Set aside a 5% reserve

Why is Measure Q necessary?

Since its passage in 1994, Measure O has provided the Oakland Public Library with additional funding that accounts for approximately 32% of the Library’s total budget. Because operating and labor costs for library services have escalated at a pace far greater than the revenues generated by this measure, the City anticipates a $1.1 million revenue shortfall for programs funded by this act as of July 1, 2004 (FY 2004-05).

During the past year, the City of Oakland made significant cuts to its budget due to the dramatic downturn in the economy and city revenues. More than 22 FTE positions cut, and funds for books and other operations were cut, resulting in:

· Reduced service at 3 of the busiest branches

• Severe reductions in the Library’s book budget

• Elimination of 275 magazine and newspaper subscriptions

• Reductions in programs for children and adults

• Longer waits for check-out and reference assistance;

• Delays in processing of new books before they can be placed in circulation

· Relocation of the Second Start Adult Literacy Program from downtown Oakland to the West Oakland Branch in order to reduce rental expenditures

What will happen if Measure Q doesn’t pass?

There will be further cutbacks in services and materials, severely restricting public access to free library services throughout Oakland and further eroding the Library’s ability to serve the community.

How much will Measure Q cost property owners?

If approved by voters, Measure Q will raise approximately $10.7 million annually until it expires in 2024.

• For single family residential properties, the cost will be $75 per year, or $6.25 per month.

• For multiple-dwelling properties, the tax will be $51.24 per residential unit or 50% of this rate if the majority of units have been vacant for a period of six months or more during the year.

• For non-residential properties, the tax will be approximately $38.41 for every single family residential unit equivalent (based on land use category and a formula calculating frontage and square footage).

LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND PROPERTIES THAT SUPPORT THE HOUSING OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THIS TAX.

Can the city reduce its general fund appropriation to the library if this measure passes?

In order to collect the revenues raised from the current Measure O tax, the City has to maintain its support for Library services at the 1991/92 level, or $7.8 million – far below what it would take today to ensure basic library services and no closure of branches. Measure Q would address this problem by raising the minimum General Fund support for library services to the FY 2000/01 appropriation, or $9,059,989.

How can voters be assured that Measure Q revenues will be spent as specified?

As with the current parcel tax, a citizens’ oversight committee will be appointed to monitor and make recommendations on Measure Q expenditures. Funds will be audited annually.