November 13, 2024, 12:52pm
EveryLibrary, a non-profit dedicated to supporting public and school libraries across the country via local grassroots organizing, has been tracking anti-library legislation since 2012. Between the onslaught of book bans and censorship petitions, they’ve naturally had a busy few years. But last week was another bellwether.
On Tuesday night, the PAC hosted a #LibraryWatchParty to track and gather the results of library-pertinent ballot measures across the country. “Library-pertinent” legislation is, generally, budget stuff. Such measures on the ballot this cycle mostly involved petitions to defund or augment operating budgets.
This handy chart tracks ballot results from more than twenty states, spanning from California to Vermont. States with the most ballot measure data include Michigan, Ohio, and New York.
And as for the results?
At first look, last week seems to have been a mixed bag for libraries. Though dire defunding trends continue, some cataclysms were avoided.
In Arkansas, ballot measures to increase funding stalled in Jonesboro—but in Lawrence County, voters rejected a move to reduce millage funding.
(I note here that this reporter didn’t know what millage funding was. PBS informs us that a millage rate is a metric representing the tax rate levied on a particular piece of property. So, reducing a building’s millage = slapping them with a higher tax rate. Economist embroidery welcome, in the comments. But I digress!)
In Illinois, a Northlake referendum to pass a no-net tax increase failed. But in Roselle, a referendum to supply the district with funds to construct a new facility passed.
Data is still coming in as too-close-to-call races finish their final tallies and volunteers aggregate data. But you can check out ballot results for your state or district here.
EveryLibrary self-identifies as “a non-partisan, pro-library organization with an alignment toward sustaining libraries as they evolve and grow in the 21st century.” The group offers pro-bono consulting and promotes pro-library legislation, like the “Libraries for All” act.
This model bill would require library boards to comply with state and federal civil rights practices, which “would change the debate from one of inappropriate vs. appropriate to one of relevance to a protected class.”
It’ll be an uphill battle to see that one passed in the current clime. But you can continue to support grassroots efforts to protect libraries, via PACs like EveryLibrary or newsletters like For the People: A Leftist Library Project.
Viva la biblioteca!