Measure A Library Parcel Tax Ballot Headed To Your Mail Box

—Written by L.A. Chung

Ah, summer, the perfect time for a parcel tax vote.

Voters, if they are not away on vacation in July or August, soon will be receiving ballots for Measure A across the seven-city district that makes up the Santa Clara County Library. 

At stake, a $33.66-a-year parcel tax measure allows the library to buy books and research materials, maintain hours and services, keep librarians and keep the Bookmobile running.

Glossy "Dear Neighbor" mailers signed by County Librarian and Saratoga resident Nancy Howe went out in the mail alerting residents to the arrival of the ballots, which will be mailed out this month and must be returned by mail on Aug. 27.

Cities across Santa Clara County from Los Altos to Morgan Hill have been passing resolutions these last several weeks in support of the tax, which is meant to replace an expiring parcel tax. 

Los Altos heard one of its library commissioners describe how money is provided to community libraries then voted unanimously on June 25 to approve a resolution in support of the parcel tax.

Taxes won't go up with a "yes" vote for Measure A; it will keep in place a tax that proponents convinced voters 20 years ago was needed to support library services. Voting no would allow the parcel tax to expire. That parcel tax is set to end on June 30, 2015. 

The parcel tax would only be levied on residents who live within the library district, which, despite the words "county library" in its name, specifically serves eight municipalities, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and unincorporated parts of the county. Eight library branches and the Bookmobile entities serve these areas. 

In 2012, after years of allowing anyone to have a library card, the county library cut off services to towns not within the library district including Los Gatos, Mountain View, Palo Alto and San Jose.