The Library completed its library opinion survey in March, presenting the results to the County Board of Supervisors April 24, 2012. To view that presentation, go online to http://www2.co.fresno.ca.us/0110a/Questys_Agenda/MG194197/AS194198/AS194...

Between March 9 and March 14, 2012, 1,000 residents in the County of Fresno were polled, including the Coalinga-Huron Special Library District. The purpose of this public opinion poll was to determine the degree of public support for continuing the Library’s current revenue measure (Measure B), which is slated to sunset March 31, 2013, as well as check County residents’ opinions on various library services, which will aid the Department in its strategic planning process.

The polling results indicated that 79 percent of those polled would definitely or likely, vote in favor of renewing the current 1/8 of one cent sales tax, which is eight cents on a $100 purchase. This is good news and makes everyone cautiously optimistic that we are headed in the right direction! We still have a lot of work to do, and must always remember that this survey was a snapshot in time, and that anything can happen between now and the November election when the measure will be on the ballot. In fact we still have to get the measure on the ballot!

The Board of Supervisors gave the Library the direction to begin the process to place the measure on the ballot for consideration by the voters on November 6, 2012, but there are still many steps. We have to draft the ordinance, etc. … all the legal steps necessary to get it to the ballot. This includes a first and second reading with the Board of Supervisors, who will then vote yes/no for the measure to go on the ballot. Those readings will occur June 12th and July 10th respectively.

Once it is on the ballot (deadline is August 10th) then the Measure B: Citizens for Libraries and Literacy committee will take over in full gear. That group has already been active for 1 1/2 years, but the ‘visible’ side will ramp up and really get moving. So in the meantime, anyone wanting to volunteer or donate funds can contact Karen Bosch Cobb, Administrative Chair, via email at librarymeasureb@gmail.com.

To me, this is like chugging up a steep rail incline. The first pinnacle is to get it on the ballot, then the train dashes at break-neck speed down the slope and back up, and continues to do that, successively climbing higher and higher until it can go no faster or no higher, then it races down that last incline, speeding into the rail station with all those voters who jumped on the train, supporting the campaign by voting to renew the measure. It is my hope that this is the longest rail train possible with many many thousands of voters. Will you be on board? I hope you will be.

Laurel C. Prysiazny, County Librarian