Why Vote for the Library?

It’s Oct. 29. Have you voted yet? There’s only one item on the ballot, and it’s really important. Measure 20-235 will restore critical funding to Eugene’s public libraries, and we urge you to vote “yes.”

Over 150 years ago, Henri Amiel said, “Everything you need for better future and success has already been written. And guess what? All you have to do is go to the library.” Think about it. Public libraries are, and have always been, a stepping-stone to a better life for anyone who walks in their doors.

Reading programs for kids, a quiet and safe place to do homework, GED support for teens and adults, information on how to start a business, plant a garden, become a teacher; whatever your question or quest, our public libraries are there for us. It’s time for us to be there for them.

Voting “yes” on Measure 20-235 means saying “yes” to young readers, to a community with access to information and opportunity, to internet access for job searches and school reports and to programs that faithfully serve members of our community, both young and old.

In Eugene, we love our libraries, and we really use them — 3,000 visitors every day. That’s over one million visitors every year checking out over three million items in all parts of the city. Here are some of the people who use our libraries each day:

In Bethel, a teacher of a special needs class regularly walks his students over from school because the neighborhood library is nearby, quiet and comfortable for his students.

Downtown, people with no computers at home get help and computer access to apply for jobs. Young parents who feel isolated at home bring their children for free story hours and make friends and introduce their children to literacy.

At the Sheldon neighborhood library, eight senior living facilities are within walking distance, and seniors make the trip often. The library is a gift to thousands of people in so many ways. We are guessing you know this.

Will we lose what we currently have if this levy does not pass? The answer is no. More than 200 community members came to the City Council to testify about the importance of our three libraries during the last budget cycle. As a community, we said we would work towards reintroducing a new library levy to fund expanded hours, increased programming and access to new technology. So this is not about fear of losing anything. Measure 20-235 is really about what we want for our kids and our community. It’s really about progress and equity.

This levy is a small and progressive tax that amounts to an average of $36 per year for homeowners. It directly pays for expansions of library services. You get to direct your tax dollars to what you want — and we believe you want a library that can better serve all our children and our entire community. That’s why hundreds of people came again and again to ask the city to put the levy back on the ballot. The city responded to the people with this measure.

Kids who want a safe, enriching environment after school shouldn’t be on a waiting list. All children should have access to technology, the very tools that will allow them to develop the skills to join the 21 century workforce, regardless of where they live.

The levy will give people of all ages and incomes access to technology that they otherwise would not have. This levy will help us reach out to more of our youngest to ensure they too have access to early learning opportunities no matter where they live. In the words of Lady Bird Johnson, “Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.”

And this community supports the measure; don’t just take our word for it. This levy is endorsed by Eugene Weekly, The Register-Guard, Eugene Education Association, Eugene/Springfield NAACP, Stand for Children, League of United Latin American Citizens, Lane Grupo Latino de Action Directa (GLAD), the Democratic Party of Lane County, AFSCME Local 1724 and hundreds more (see voteyesforlibraries.org).

So go get that ballot! It’s too late to mail it, so get it in a drop box by 8 pm Tuesday, Nov. 3. I urge you to join us in voting yes for our libraries, our kids, our community. — Mayor Kitty Piercy & Rep. Val Hoyle

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!