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Letters to the editor

Support Measure L for our community

I have and do utilize public libraries and began working in them in middle school. Librarianship became my profession through education and degree, and while I am now retired, I recall well the struggles that began with the funding reductions due to State legislative of Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund which began in 1995.

This monumental shift was where city, county and other local taxes were re-allocated to support schools and community college districts. That saved the state money, but had a big impact at the county level in reference to the reduction of non-mandated services, including the public library.



It is again time to make the choice: do we want to maintain our library at its current level of service by continuing the existing levy, albeit at a slight change in rate? Please join me in voting “Yes” on Measure L.

A wonderful community deserves the maintenance of a wonderful library.



Sherna Kopple Svensson

South Lake Tahoe

Library is amazing resource

I lived in Hood River, Ore., from 1994 until late 2010 and experienced firsthand what it is like to live in a town without a library. Hood River County Library was built in 1913 via a Carnegie grant. In 1998, it was placed on the National Register of Historical Places. It was well stocked, provided a variety of services and used by many. Unfortunately, it could not be saved from closure in 2009. After county funding was cut, our library was closed and remained that way for over a year, opening only after the citizens of voted to create the Hood River County Library District and approved funding.

While our library was closed, we had to drive to a different county and pay $45 for a library card. I recently talked to a Hood River librarian and she said they have noticed since the closure the people of Hood River treasure their library now that they know what life is like without it. South Lake Tahoe has a wonderful library. Embrace it and don’t risk losing it. Learn from the people of Hood River, Oregon.

Measure L will appear on the June 3rd ballot and I encourage everyone to vote for it. It is not a new tax, but continues the existing tax, which has been in place for 20 years. The cost of $20 is not too much for a library. Imagine how much you would spend if you had to pay for all the books, videos, audio books, programs and services available to you at your local library.

If you’re saying, “But I don’t use the library”, my question to you is “Why not?” It is an amazing resource that we are extremely fortunate to have and we must preserve it for our families, friends and community.

Carol McInnes

South Lake Tahoe


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