Fellow New Orleanians,
In the December 11, 2021 election, the New Orleans Public Library's millage will be up for renewal in addition to the City Council runoffs. We ask that you consider supporting this renewal.
The New Orleans Public Library is nearing 125 years of serving New Orleans. It has seen much growth throughout its history- the addition of neighborhood branches, desegregation, a larger collection, and new technologies to name a few. In 1986, the Library saw even more opportunities to grow when the people of New Orleans approved a dedicated millage for it. That millage will run out on December 31, 2021.
Earlier this year, City Council approved a proposition to be on the December 11 ballot asking voters if they will support a full renewal of this millage. This renewal means that taxpayers will continue paying exactly what they pay now. It is not an increase or a cut. If passed, taxpayers will continue to provide $11 million annually to the Library for 20 years, through 2042.
This is an important time for our Library. Should this proposition fail, the cuts to the Library will be noticeable within 5 years. The collection- both physical and digital- will take a hit. There will be fewer programs and services. Decreased operating hours and Library closures are likely.
In 2015, voters passed a supplemental millage, which, among other things, allowed the Library to be open 7 days a week at 15 locations. Though COVID has decreased operating hours to Mondays - Saturdays, the failure of the December 11 proposition will mean that our youth, our families, our friends, and we will not have access to our Libraries like we did pre-COVID.
If the millage renewal passes, the Library will be able to implement its 10-year strategic plan, Creating a Library Lifestyle, which includes the following:
- Develop new center to house equity and inclusion initiatives, African American Resource Collection, BIPOC juvenile collection, and more
- Improve adult literacy, workforce readiness, and digital literacy opportunities
- Invest in early literacy programming and partnerships
- Connect with teens through programming and services
- Reimagine Library spaces, including new mobile services
The Library is fiscally sound. Its strategic plan provides direction. Its Board, staff, and administration are ready for a bright future. Please consider supporting this millage renewal in order for our Library to flourish. Help us create a Library Lifestyle. Vote YES on December 11.
Sincerely,
YES for NOLA Libraries
