Prior to 1996, local libraries suffered from low levels of funding. The result was limited hours, inadequate facilities, and insufficient funds to purchase new items for collections. That year voters passed a 1/4% sales tax specifically to improve library services countywide.

Since then, the promise to voters has been fulfilled as open hours have been greatly expanded, branches have been maintained or replaced, and collections have been expanded to include a wide range of materials including books, CDs, DVDs, periodicals and data bases. Library use has almost doubled in the past twelve years.

The original sales tax authorization will expire soon. Measure R has been placed on the June ballot to continue that funding so our excellent library services can be sustained and expanded for the future with no increase in taxes!

Learn more about our libraries, with branches in Boulder Creek, Felton, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz (Garfield, Central and Branciforte), Live Oak, Capitola, Aptos, La Selva Beach, Freedom and Watsonville. Vote YES on R on June 3.