Final arguments due Thursday for $67 million library measure

On June 7th voters in Santa Cruz County will have a big decision to make regarding local libraries.

“It’s a library facilities revenue measure which means all the money is being spent on the ten buildings,” said Interim Director of Libraries, Janis O’Driscoll.

From Capitola to Boulder Creek, as the economy took a dive so did funding for library maintenance.

“So much time has passed that our buildings are in very poor repair. We have so many roofs that leak,” said O’Driscoll.

Despite operating out of mobile classrooms, Capitola Library is one of the busiest branches in Santa Cruz County. It was a quick fix back in the day, but if the measure passes they plan to build a new library.

“I have computers at home but I see so many people using the facilities I think it needs to be bigger,” said active library user Nancy Campeau.

The tax would call for property owners to pay $49.50 per parcel, per year, for 30 years, which would raise $67-million.

“If it’s time for it to happen then hopefully the tax money will be used for that,” said library user Christian Cuevas.

The money would also help each library catch up to the 21st century.

“All of our buildings need wiring, because we need a wider broadband. We have a different use than in the 19th and 20th century,” said O’Driscoll.

In total the library system sees about 500 visitors per hour, and circulates 2-million materials a year. Proof that the libraries are not down out, just turning a new page.