Pasadena : Schools Support Library Tax

The Pasadena Board of Education has endorsed a special library tax ballot measure calling on residents to guarantee funding for the city’s libraries, which play an integral role in the lives of students.

In its first regular meeting with newly elected member Lisa Fowler, the board voted unanimously to back the June ballot measure that city officials hope will raise $1.3 million to aid the cash-strapped Central Library and its eight branches.

There are no libraries at five of the city’s elementary schools, including Linda Vista, San Rafael, Allendale, Roosevelt and Longfellow.

“Four of our schools use city branch libraries, and students at Roosevelt Elementary have to be bused to the main library,” board member Anne Pursel said. “It is really important to the future of education in Pasadena to maintain the public library system.”

The $1.3 million in tax revenue that would be generated by the measure would help close the gap between the level of funding provided by the city and the level that would restore most services.

City officials say the tax will cost a homeowner $20, an apartment building owner $13 per unit, and the owner of a non-residential parcel of land, a flat rate of $147.