Multnomah County Library funding is at stake
Our office is abuzz with activity, as we embark upon a campaign to ensure stable funding for the Multnomah County Library.
First and foremost, we’ll be working toward approval of a temporary funding measure in May. This measure, a safety net of sorts, will keep our libraries open, but not without some cuts to services. Just a few short months later in November, voters will be asked to approve full funding through a permanent library district. Working lock-step with you, our true library believers, will be instrumental in the success of both measures.
Follow our efforts through these recent editorials, news and opinion pieces.
Multnomah County commissioners approve May and November library measures
January 5, 2012, By Beth Slovic, The Oregonian
As expected, Multnomah County commissioners this morning approved back-to-back library measures for the May and November ballots. Read more>>
Library compromise keeps doors open
January 5, 2012, By Editorial Staff, The Portland Tribune
The Multnomah County library system – with 19 branches stretching from Troutdale to St. Johns – is a step closer this week to receiving the permanent funding it deserves. Read more>>
Multnomah Leaders Put Forward Temporary Library Funding Measure
January 3, 2012, By Rob Manning, OPB
Multnomah County leaders and library supporters announced Tuesday plans to ask voters to approve two library measures in the next 11 months. They say the measures would keep local libraries open and reduce their reliance on temporary funding sources. Read more>>
County deal puts library levy, district to a vote
Commissioners worried about support for new taxing district
January 3, 2012, By Steve Law, The Portland Tribune
Multnomah County commissioners and county library supporters have united around a compromise, two-step plan to secure short- and long-term funding of the county library system. Read more>>
Multnomah Co. changes course on library tax district
January 3, 2012, By Andy Giegerich, Portland Business Journal
Reversing an earlier decision regarding library funding, Multnomah County is poised to take two measures to voters in 2012 that library advocates say could prevent massive layoffs and service cuts. Read more>>
Multnomah County Library: Officials agree to seek levy first, then taxing district
January 3, 2012, By Beth Slovic, The Oregonian
Multnomah County officials announced a compromise today on funding the popular library system, agreeing to ask voters to extend the current levy in May and to approve a taxing district in November. Read more>>
Multnomah County Library: Voters deserve chance to decide on funding plan
December 23, 2011, By Judy Shiprack and Diane McKeel, Guest columnists to The Oregonian
Multnomah County provides many services to the community, but none is as loved or as widely used as our nationally recognized, five-star library system. Read more>>
County shelves library district
Supporters still hope to convince commission for May vote on plan
December 22, 2011, By Steve Law, The Portland Tribune
With new polls showing local voters are resistant to any property tax increases right now, Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen has decided against putting a library district on the May primary ballot. Read more>>
Multnomah County Library supporters urge Chairman Jeff Cogen to reconsider library taxing district
December 22, 2011, By Beth Slovic, The Oregonian
Throngs of Multnomah County Library supporters descended on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Thursday morning to persuade Chairman Jeff Cogen to put a permanent library district on the May 2012 ballot, asking voters to raise their taxes to support the nation's second busiest system. Read more>>
Let voters decide library district's fate
December 22, 2011, Editorial Staff, The Portland Tribune
Multnomah County commissioners should allow voters to decide whether they want to create a permanent source of funding for the county’s much-treasured library system. Read more>>
Murmurs ...
December 21, 2011, Editorial Staff, Willamette Week
Last year, 72 percent of voters said yes to allowing the county to propose a Multnomah County library district on the ballot. But Multnomah County Board Chair Jeff Cogen says he doesn’t believe voters this year are ready to approve the district and permanent funding for the county’s library system. Read more >>
Higher taxes vs. library cuts in Multnomah Co.
December 20, 2011, By Patrick Preston, KATU News
Would you pay higher taxes to prevent library budget cuts?
Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen doesn’t think voters are willing to approve a tax increase right now. Cogen is proposing cutbacks on either library hours or staffing. Listen to Jeff Cogen >>
County drops library district plan — for now
Chairman Jeff Cogen says he will ask for a three-year levy instead
December 19, 2011, By Steve Law, The Portland Tribune
Multnomah County Chairman Jeff Cogen has decided against asking voters to authorize a new library district, which had been proposed as a way to provide permanent, stable property tax funding for county libraries. Read more >>
Cogen Won't Push for Library District Next Year
December 19, 2011, By Denis Theriault, Portland Mercury
Though it may mean cutbacks for Multnomah County's highly decorated library system, County Chairman Jeff Cogen on Friday told library employees on Friday he won't push to create a tax-revenue-raising library district next year. Read more >>
Call the question on the library district
December 16, 2011, Editorial Board, The Oregonian
Right now, the Multnomah County Library is facing a make-or-break moment. No institution in our community is more popular or better used. None is more vital at a time when people are struggling to adapt, learn new skills and advance in a dark economy. Read more >> | 
