Tax to fund Oakland public libraries heads to June ballot

Facing a budget shortfall, the Oakland public library system is turning to voters to fund its core services through a new tax.

The Oakland City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to place on the June ballot a $75-per-parcel tax that’s expected to raise $10 million annually for the next 20 years for city libraries. Supporters of the measure say it would allow branches to stay open on evenings and weekends, fund programs, upgrade technology and buy new furniture and equipment.

The revenue would also go toward converting some temporary part-time library positions to full-time ones — a switch the city’s largest union has been pushing for amid its ongoing contract negotiations.

The library system has operated at a deficit of $2 million annually for the past 14 years — projected to rise to $4 million this budget cycle, according to library director Gerry Garzon.

The city’s general fund typically fills in the gaps not covered by a similar 2004 parcel tax that funds the system. Council members added a clause Tuesday that would ensure a minimum financial commitment from the city’s budget to the libraries, so that the tax won’t supplant the current funds.

The measure took on new urgency after steep cuts to Oakland public schools hit students’ books and supplies. A city staff report notes that Oakland spends less than half per capita what Berkeley and San Francisco each expend on their public libraries.

The parcel tax would include exemptions for very low income households, affordable housing units and senior households.