VENTURA : Group Seeks Tax to Aid Libraries

Seeking money to fund Ventura’s cash-poor libraries, an advisory group has turned over to the City Council the signatures of more than 5,000 voters who support a $35 annual parcel tax.

The panel could not act on the petitions Monday night because the issue was not on the agenda, but council members thanked the San Buenaventura Friends of the Library for its support and pledged to do what they could to keep the county-run branches open longer.

“We’ve been frustrated because this is not something we’ve had to fund in the past,” Councilman Gregory L. Carson said. “But this is not a city issue. This is a regional issue.”

Group members want the City Council to take over administration of the four county libraries in the city. But county officials are considering a tax plan of their own that would raise more money for the library system.

The county Library Services Agency budget has been cut almost 40% in the past three years, leading to shorter hours of operation.

“What kind of image do we have if our libraries are open only 20% of the time?” asked group member Bob Addison.

The San Buenaventura Friends of the Library asked the council to place the issue before November voters. It would take a two-thirds majority to pass.

Councilman Gary Tuttle said he appreciated the group’s petition drive and suggested that the city move ahead with plans to support the local libraries--with or without the county’s help.