Library Service District

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Because of the elimination of $12 million in federal funding, the Clackamas County General Fund, which had been the primary source of library support, did not have the necessary financing to continue to sustain its libraries. Therefore, many of the county’s libraries were under threat of closure. In order to gain the necessary funds to save its libraries, the Board of County Commissioners authorized a ballot measure that would allow voters the opportunity to establish a stable and permanent tax base to support libraries throughout the county. Each of the 13 cities inside the county had to agree by resolution to be a part of the proposed library district, and once that happened, the county got the message out to its citizens. The proposal went to a vote of the people and was met with a resounding ‘yes.’ This newly established district’s goal is set aside a long-term dedicated revenue stream for library operations. The tax rate for the library district is about 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. With the average assessed value of the home being $205,800, the average county homeowner would pay an additional $81.78 each year to fund the district. Following the passage of the ballot measure, libraries throughout the county would be required to meet the Oregon Library Association threshold standards for hours, staffing, and library materials, in comparison to the varying standards and operating procedures from one library to another that formerly existed.