Library Bond

There are plenty of good reasons to vote on March 7. Proposition 14, the library bond act, is one.

Proposition 14 would make $350 million of matching funds available to public libraries statewide for new construction, remodeling and repair, and upgrading telecommunications and electrical systems.

As California’s population climbs, library visits have skyrocketed, especially with the elimination of social promotion in the public schools. This has caused an already underfunded library system to deteriorate rapidly. Many communities have no library, and others have facilities that are old, worn and out-of-date.

Proposition 14 would return state money directly to local communities for libraries--without raising taxes. By law, this bond money could not be used for administrative costs.

The link between developing good reading skills and strong libraries has been documented repeatedly. Children who are read to at an early age tend to be more verbal and use words better. Preschool kids who look at picture books and then begin to pick out words are way ahead when they start school. And children who read proficiently by age 9 do better in all other subjects than those who don’t.

Proposition 14 further strengthens this already close tie between reading, libraries and education. Highest priority for funding will go to projects where schools and libraries are working together to improve literacy and learning.

Far from being made obsolete by the Internet, Ventura County libraries have taken advantage of technology to make high-speed electronic information resources available to patrons of all income levels. Studies show that adding computers to public libraries increases total usage of the libraries.

Several communities have immediate expansion needs. In Camarillo and Ojai, increased hours, new programs including homework centers and Internet computers have resulted in severe crowding. In Oxnard two projects are being considered: expansion of the small, highly utilized South Oxnard branch and a possible new branch. These communities are gearing up to raise funds for these plans and Proposition 14 could fund up to 65%.

GEORGE BERG

Ojai