Activities Planned to Boost Bid for Ventura Library Tax

Ventura library boosters are planning a read-a-thon and poster campaign over the weekend to rally support for a property tax hike initiative that would help keep cash-poor libraries open.

On Friday, 4-year-old triplets will go door-to-door with their father in Ventura’s downtown, distributing posters that read “Save Our Libraries, Vote ‘Yes’ on Measure ‘L’.”

If two-thirds of the voters who turn out Nov. 7 vote for the initiative, property taxes would increase by $35 per parcel, generating about $1 million in additional revenues. The sum would keep the community’s libraries open five days a week and nearly double the budget for buying books.

Kevin Seelos, who will chaperon Mark, David and William during the poster delivery, calls the initiative a necessary measure.

“It is worth it,” said Seelos, a 40-year-old furniture store manager. “The library provides a really good service. My children are starting to read a lot of books. It is pretty difficult with some libraries open only three days a week. When I was young, the library was open every day but Sunday.”

The citizen-sponsored campaign to pass the initiative will continue Saturday at the Ventura County Government Center. From noon to 2 p.m., organizers expect more than 200 children, parents, book lovers and others to participate in a silent read-a-thon.

Judith Allen, a sixth-grade teacher, said she hopes that the event will draw attention to the library campaign as pedestrians wander by the readers on the lawn area.

“We’ve asked people to come ready for one hour,” Allen said. “Everybody should bring their own book.”

For information, call the Save Our Libraries Committee campaign hot line at 643-9390.