Senate Constitutional Amendment 3 (SCA 3) seeks to lower the vote threshold for the passage of local library construction bond projects from the current 2/3rds local vote requirement to 55%.

Please take few moments today to send or fax a letter (see sample letter below) to each of the members of the Senate Governance and Finance Committee listed below, and please don’t forget to send a letter of thanks and support to the bill’s author, Senator Bill Dodd.

We encourage you to also send a copy of your support to your local representatives. To find their addresses, please go to http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/.

If you sent a letter, we’d love to know – send us an email at info@eclibraryfoundation.org.

The deadline for sending letters is March 20, 2017.

Senate Governance and Finance Committee

The Honorable Mike McGuire, Chair    (Co-author of SCA 3)
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5061
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4902

The Honorable Janet Nguyen, Vice Chair
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 3048
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4934

The Honorable Jim Beall
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 2082
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4915

The Honorable Ed Hernandez
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 2080
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4922

The Honorable Bob Hertzberg
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 4038
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4918

The Honorable Ricardo Lara
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5050
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4933

The Honorable John Moorlach
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 2048
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4937

And SCA 3 author:
The Honorable Bill Dodd
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5064
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4903

Source: SCA 3-DODD: 55% Vote for Library Bond Construction – Set for First Hearing March 29

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A sample letter that you can copy and customize to write to your legislator

(Month) (Day) (Year)
The Honorable (First name) (Last name)
California State Senate
State Capitol, (Room #)
Sacramento, CA (Zip Code)
RE: SCA 3-DODD:  55% VOTE FOR LIBRARY BOND CONSTRUCTION

Dear Senator (Last name):

My name is (your first and last name), I am (state who you are), and I am writing in support of SCA 3 introduced by Senator Dodd to lower the local vote threshold for library construction bonds from the current two-thirds vote to 55%.

(Indicate how important public libraries are to your community, the many services you provide to patrons daily, and the critical need to have the infrastructure that will support these vital services)

(Please stress how essential it is to give your local community the tools and the authority to decide if they would like to levy a library bond for new construction, renovation, or expansion by a 55% vote.)

(Include a personal story. Tell your representative how it affects you, your family member and your community.)
I ask you to support this important piece of legislation, which will make such a difference in the lives of constituents you serve.

Sincerely,
SIGN YOUR NAME
Print your name
Street address
City, State, Zip code

For reference, below is a copy of a letter by our new library commissioner Michael A. Fischer

(Printed with permission)

March 15, 2017

The Honorable Mike MGuire
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5016
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SCA 3-DODD:  55% VOTE FOR LIBRARY BOND CONSTRUCTION

Dear Senator McGuire:

My name is Michael Fischer. I am a resident of El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), a member of the Contra Costa County Library Commission (although writing in my personal capacity), and I am writing in support of SCA 3 introduced by Senator Dodd to lower the local vote threshold for library construction bonds from the current two-thirds vote to 55%.

The state has lowered the vote threshold for school bonds to 55% and, as you may know of the role libraries play in our communities, they are an important partner to the schools in terms of education of our youth. We also know that schools have a significant use of and emphasis on technology. Those children without access to technology are at a significant disadvantage. Libraries provide an important access to technology for these children, indeed often the only access.

In addition, I am a senior citizen (and active member and volunteer for AARP although, again, I am writing this letter in my individual capacity). Libraries also provide an important resource for seniors in terms of books, meeting space, and access to technology.

In Contra Costa County the provision of buildings for county library branches is the responsibility of cities. The library building in my city is over 67 years old and does not meeting either the earthquake safety or energy-efficiency standards of libraries built today. During after school hours, the library is often too small for the number of children using it. It is also inadequate for other community needs. Library usage is up, with a 26% increase in visits and an over 27% increase in circulation from 2006 to 2015.

Last fall local El Cerrito City Measure B appeared on our ballot “To replace the 67 year old El Cerrito Library with a safe, energy efficient, 21st century library that meets earthquake and fire codes with space for a children’s area for story times/books; public access computers/computer learning center; up-to-date book/resource collections; and improved senior/disabled access.” That measure received a yes vote of 62.96% (over a 5/8 ths majority) which under existing law was not enough to carry. Under SCA 3 that measure would have been successful.

I ask you to support this important piece of legislation, which will make such a difference in the lives of all Californians.

Sincerely,
Michael A. Fischer
MAF/st