Thornton – Astute campaigning and fears of cutbacks and closures have helped Colorado libraries prosper at the ballot box.
From Basalt to Berthoud, Hayden to New Castle, voters last year approved more than $10 million in tax increases – and millions more in bond issues – to provide libraries with equipment, renovations and new buildings. In all, 10 of 14 library referendums passed Nov. 7.
Some observers see the spending as validation that libraries have adapted to the Internet age, transforming from stodgy book depositories to institutions that offer sophisticated research, Web access, DVDs and CDs, as well as becoming a sort of town hall for civic groups, hobbyists and anybody else who wants a place to read, study or gossip.
Others, however, say that some libraries simply fell so far behind in funding that the public finally decided their local branch needed to be saved.
No matter, advocates say, libraries are worthy investments.
“Public libraries are just one of those basic necessities of a good democracy,” said Patricia Froehlich, consultant for the Colorado State Library.
The stakes were never higher this fall for several library systems that were facing deeper cuts to hours, services and even the closure of branches.
Fort Collins’ two libraries had lost more than $500,000 in funding since 2002 and more cuts were looming, prompting supporters to propose a library district, for which support would no longer be tied to the city’s budget but through a separate tax.
The campaign emphasized that the city – home of Colorado State University – needed strong, thriving libraries.
“We are a well-educated city and interested in providing well-funded places to learn and study,” said library director Brenda Carns.
The library district was approved by an almost 2-to-1 ratio. The influx of funds will allow cuts to be restored and bring about the construction of a new branch next year.
In Thornton, officials from the Rangeview Library District, which serves a population of more than 300,000 in several north metro cities and unincorporated Adams County, decided to raise the district’s profile and scale back its funding request.
Voters had rejected three previous tax increases, including a $52 million measure in 2005. This time, officials aggressively campaigned for a $31 million mill- levy increase that prevailed.
“They had a newsletter, they were in parades, they took the bookmobile through neighborhoods. They worked hard,” said Northglenn City Councilwoman Rosie Garner.
Residents got a jolt this summer when the district began making plans to close a beloved branch, Perl Mack, because of low funding and low circulation.
“I think people just thought libraries are a given in the Bill of Rights, but they cost money to run,” said Ann Meyers, district spokeswoman.
The library’s victory will provide two new branches, while four others will be expanded.
Library patron and volunteer Helen Giossi said she needed little coaxing to back Rangeview’s proposal. “Libraries are among the most important places in the city. You get all the information in all these books – for free.”
Well, not exactly. The district had lagged behind the 11 other library districts in Colorado serving more than 100,000 people in categories like funding, building space and materials.
“This mill-levy increase will put us around eighth place,” said Michael Sawyer, director of the Rangeview district. “There was the misconception that we were asking for the moon in this election, and we weren’t.”
Despite their successes this fall, libraries still face critical examination.
David May, president and chief executive of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, worries the city’s libraries won’t have adequate oversight now that they are part of a separate district. “Some of the layers of accountability are gone.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
