Guest comment: Vote to support our public libraries

I never thought I’d be writing an op-ed about a fuddy-duddy ballot measure. But the time for cynically dismissing voting or tuning out of politics is long gone, as is the time when pillars of collective life, such as the public library, existed in a special zone above the fray of partisan conflict. We don’t have to agree on what is said in those shared, public spaces, but we should agree that they must remain shared and public, so that we can gather in them to celebrate our differences as the only path to common ground.  

I’m waxing electoral to get you to vote yes on WC-1, which would renew, for another 30 years, a special fund that allots $0.02 of every $100 of assessed property value to the Washoe County Library System.  

First, the talking points: this is not a new or an additional tax, but a renewal of a voter-designated allocation that gives the community an opportunity to determine how a portion of their taxes will be spent. If WC-1 fails at the polls, this tax will still be collected, but rather than going directly to our libraries, it will revert to the County’s general fund. 

In 1994, then-Library Director Martha Gould developed the original ballot measure to ensure stable, long-term library funding; in 2000, the Board of County Commissioners directed that expenditures from this tax be “limited to costs associated with expansion of services including, but not limited to, additional library branch debt service payments, expanded library services, expanded library hours and additional library collections.” Elected officials are unable to redirect this money to any other purpose. 

The aptly named Library Expansion Fund helped build the Northwest Reno, South Valleys, Incline Village and Spanish Springs libraries and renovate the North Valleys, Downtown, Northwest, Sparks and Sierra View libraries. Money raised protected the library system and staff through multiple recessions and allowed libraries to open to the public on weekends. When renewed, the expansion fund will continue to make libraries even more accessible to communities. We can expect a brand new North Valleys Library, renovations to the South Valleys and Spanish Springs libraries, an expansion of Bookmobile and book vending services in north and south Washoe County, and a stable, secure, recession-proof library system. 

Singing the library’s praises seems gratuitous. “Unlike the Internet, where you search for specific things, the library lets you wander and allows discoveries to find you,” says Megan Kay, Outreach and Content Coordinator at UNR’s Living with Fire program. “I love bringing my daughter there. She discovers books on a bunch of topics I never knew she was interested in, sparking new adventures in our lives.”  

Melissa Fant, who homeschools her kids, emphasizes that, “[o]ur public library system is a critical resource for families like ours. Without it, homeschooling in Washoe County would be significantly more expensive, and our access to books that inspire imagination and a love of learning would be far more limited. We check out dozens of books from the library every week. Our homeschool group also meets monthly in library meeting rooms around the county, allowing us to gather together for group lessons, art projects and storytime.” 

Did you know that there is a branch of the library at the Senior Center on Ninth Street, complete with music, movies, books, newspapers, public computers and even printers? Did you know that you can check out materials online and staff will deliver them to your home through Washoe County Library Homebound Services? Did you know that the North Valleys and Incline Village libraries feature legal kiosks—supported by Nevada Legal Services—where you can get access to legal resources and even attend virtual appointments and hearings?  

At the Downtown library, there is now a Reno Housing Authority kiosk where you can research RHA properties and programs, manage your documents, apply to housing waitlists, and even pay rent. Oh yeah, you can also check out blood pressure machines and state park passes. The list goes on!  

I feel mostly certain that if you are reading this, you are likely a library supporter. However, being a supporter in spirit only won’t quite cut it this November. Don’t take publicly funded social programs—like the library—for granted.  

Elections can be a source of frustration and disillusionment, but they can also be a tangible way to declare and act on your values. Tell the County that libraries are vital to our community and deserve direct, secure and long-term funding. Vote Yes on WC-1. 

 
Ilya Arbatman is a Ward 3 resident, small-business owner and community advocate. He sits on the Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board. He is part of Freedom to Read Nevada.