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101-A - Community Update Flyer.pdfCommunity Update Campbell Library • Cupertino Library • Gilroy Library • Los Altos Library • Milpitas Library Morgan Hill Library • Saratoga Library • Woodland Branch Library • Bookmobile Message from the County Librarian There is an important issue facing our libraries. As you may know, special taxpayer funding for local libraries has been in place for the past twenty years and helps your local library to: ■Maintain children’s reading programs ■Maintain library hours and services ■Keep qualified librarians ■Provide an award-winning bookmobile program ■Buy needed books and up-to-date research materials This funding is due to expire. Continuing this funding will help to maintain and protect these important library services, with no increase in taxes. Nancy Howe County Librarian ■Special taxpayer funding for local libraries is due to expire. ■The Library District is taking steps to proceed with a mail ballot for August 2013 to maintain and protect library services by continuing this funding at existing rates with no increase in taxes. PRSRT STD US Postage PAID ADMAIL Santa Clara County Library District 14600 Winchester Blvd. Los Gatos CA 95032 Visit www.sccl.org for more information. Questions & Answers About Library Needs Funds help to provide: ■Up-to-date book collections ■Research materials for students ■Keeping libraries clean and safe ■Bookmobile program that brings books to seniors, preschools, disabled children, and rural/ isolated areas of the county ■Summer reading programs for school children ■Storytimes for toddlers/ preschoolers ■Maintaining library open hours ■Adult literacy programs What is the issue? Taxpayer funding for local libraries has been in place for the past twenty years, and is due to expire. Continuing this funding at existing rates without raising taxes will help maintain and protect local library services and programs, book collections, and open hours. What is at stake? Without continuation of this funding, local libraries will be forced to implement significant cuts to programs and services, including reducing or eliminating library programs for children/seniors, purchasing fewer books and up-to-date research materials, and closing libraries for an additional 1 – 1.5 days each week. What are the impacts to school children? More than 100,000 school age and preschool children use our libraries each year. Voter-approved, taxpayer funding helps provide them with: ■Up-to-date research materials ■Summer reading programs ■Homework/SAT test preparation ■Children’s science programs ■Toddler and preschool storytimes ■An educational place with positive activities for youth after school How does my library benefit? EVERY library throughout the Santa Clara County Library District benefits from taxpayer funding for libraries. Every dollar from these voter-approved revenues raised within a city is returned for the benefit and operation of the local library in that city. What is the fiscal accountability? The library district budget undergoes annual, independent financial audits and public review of expenditures to monitor spending to guarantee that all funds are being spent as promised.