Opinion: YES on Prop. 1 to support the Library. Vote LIBRARYes!
(Editor’s Note: While the Mirror takes no position on political issues facing the community, we will occasionally provide space for informed commentary from community members. Anne Marie Miller is the leader of the LibrarYES campaign that supports renewal of the 10 year millage that supports the Manchester District Library.)
On Tuesday, we need your vote and your voice in support of the Manchester District Library. Vote YES to reauthorize the library millage. Vote LIBRARYes!
This is not a tax increase. This is the same percentage of property taxes Manchester has used to support our library for the last ten years. State law just requires that we periodically formally reauthorize the disbursements. Vote LIBRARYes!
The millage is responsible for more than 90% of the library’s budget. If the millage fails, the library would close. Vote LIBRARYes!
For all it offers, the library costs us relatively little — 1.05 mills assessed from property taxes districtwide. This means that for every $1000 assessed in taxes, about a dollar of it goes to the library. Whereas national studies suggest a 400% property value return on investment that helps grow local economies. Vote LIBRARYes!
The Library is one of the few places in the area that offers free high-speed Internet access — in addition to its 43,217 books, 2,766 movies, more than 10,000 downloadable books, and other materials. Personal assistance with computer questions, genealogical research, and reference questions is always available. Vote LIBRARYes!
With discussion groups, craft circles, readings, holiday celebrations, art shows, computer instruction, and community events, every week sees new programs for kids, families, and anyone wanting to learn something new! Together and independently, Manchesterites have skills to teach each other and new things we need to know. We need safe, open spaces for our kids to play, read, compute, and just hang out. Our library does more than just house its many volumes: it is a community center. Vote LIBRARYes!
Tomorrow, vote YES on Proposition 1 and support the Library! Let’s keep our library in Manchester. And remember: local elections are sometimes decided by very small margins. One of the Manchester Community Schools ballot questions passed by ONE VOTE in August! You and the friend you bring to the polls can make all the difference.Vote LIBRARYes!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login