Congratulations to the Vote Yes for a New Ronan Library District crew and the Ronan City Library on winning 873 to 545! It means new funding for the library, new programs and collections, and ongoing library services for their community.
Your donations meant that EveryLibrary provided consulting and $1,000 in direct funding to help the committee do voter outreach and GOTV. You helped make it happen for Ronan. Thank you!
SCA 7 is a state constitutional amendment in the California Senate that needs to pass. It changes the threshold for library measures’ passage from 66% to 55%. We believe that it is a good idea to move the goal posts for libraries and we did a letter writing campaign this weekend to talk to the Senate Government and Finance Committee about this bill. EveryLibrary will be there next Wednesday when the Committee meets. It’s direct political action for libraries.
People like you make a difference. People like Mel G make it happen (thanks! for pulling it together).
Announcing our 3rd campaign! We are backing “Community Members for Ronan Library District”, the local ballot committee in Ronan, MT, as they campaign to secure a sustainable level of funding for the library as an independent district library. The Ronan Library is in serious financial straights. The May 7th ballot is vitally important for the community. More about our support at http://everylibrary.org/?p=513. And give their Facebook page a Like at Vote Yes for a New Ronan Library District, svp.
This is a picture of a letter. We don’t usually post pictures of letters unless they are from the archives. But this one is current. It is addressed to California state Senator Lois Wolk. She chairs the Governance and FInance Committee. They will be taking up SCA7 soon. It is a state constitutional amendment that, if passed in the General Assembly and ratified by the voters, would change the threshold for successful library ballot measures at the ballot box from 66% down to 55% . While still larger than a simple majority, making it 11% easier to pass a library levy, bond, or referendum would be a game changer for libraries in that state.
EveryLibrary is backing passage of SCA7. We’re going to be walking the halls in Sacramento talking to senators and assembly members about libraries. We appreciate your support. Please spread the word. If you are in CA, please write a letter via California Library Association’s SCA7 Advocacy Page.
Changing the threshold for voter approval in California could be one of the biggest things we do to help libraries run more effective campaigns. We’ll keep you posted.
This weekend [March 16, 2013] John Chrastka of EveryLibrary will be coming to the San Francisco Bay Area. We want to invite you to the Library of the Bourbon and Branch speakeasy for a night of cocktails, networking, and learning about the new library PAC. We will be gathering in the “Library” of the speakeasy so be sure to speak the word “Books” to get to the meetup.
RSVP via Facebook »>.
More about EveryLibrary »>.
More about Bourbon and Branch »>.
Cannot wait to be there with you all! Keynoting the California Public Library Adocates meeting Saturday will work up a mighty thirst.
(Thinking about ordering some up…)
Pedicabs all around #SxSWi are now Awesome Little Libraries offering free ebooks over wifi and take/lend books for your travels. Find the ones branded with Oreo cookies and have a snack, too. http://everylibrary.org/?p=470 for the full story.
Happy to announce that Spokane voters approved Prop 3 tonight! It has been amazing working with the “Yes for Spokane Libraries” committee and we are proud that EveryLibrary’s $4,000 commitment helped make this happen. More to follow when we get the final counts, etc. But in the mean time: #libraries #FTW
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/12/spokane-voters-approve-library-tax/
A new library is a generational #win for a community. It means that people will have a new space in which to access collections, programming, computers and emerging technology, and the librarians who make it all happen. A new building is an enhanced center of learning and an incubator of ideas for individuals as well as businesses. And a new library shows that this community has roots, a pride of place in which to raise families and grow together as neighbors.
That’s why EveryLibrary is backing “Citizens for a New Shorewood-Troy” library in suburban Chicago as they campaign to get a .14 cents per thousand Levy Lift passed on April 9th, 2013. This levy will generate the millions of dollars needed to build a 21st century library. If it passes it means a brighter future for the community. We stand with the community as we back this, our second ballot measure. Click through for more info and be inspired at what this community sees for its own future - through a new library.
EveryLibrary Board Meeting Agenda
Committees and Board meetings should never be boring. If you get nothing done when you are convened around a mission and purpose then there is something wrong with the process, the group, or you.
The first meeting of the EveryLibrary Board is Monday, January 28th at 11am PST in Seattle. Our agenda isn’t casual. It has the power to change voter awareness and behavior about libraries. And help win elections.
Posted on the blog: http://everylibrary.org/?p=434. Comments welcome.
