Library Supporters Speak Out

“ I live in Sonoma County and feel strongly that we need this sales tax. It is sad that our county is not making this a priority. ”
— Gaye Kelly, Petaluma

“ Wake up, Board of Supervisors, restoring the full hours of the library should be the highest priority on your "to do" list as supervisors. Do not let this mess go on any longer. Put the ballot measure on the ballot for this November! ”
—Frank Baumgardner, Santa Rosa

“ The Monday and 6pm closure of the library is impacting students, and teachers, and citizens of Sonoma County. PLEASE put this measure on the ballot in November! ”
— Sarah Garrison, Sebastopol

“ I think this would be a very fair tax, and would be glad to pay it. ”
— Michelle Stein, Santa Rosa

“ Open our libraries on Monday and extend the hours. ”
— Andrea Granahan, Bodega

“ Every time I have stopped in at the library it has been closed, very frustrating. I would really like to get my 9 year old in there as she is a wonderful reader and I want to encourage her to know the public library. ”
— Allison Parmelee, Sebastopol

“ I grew up using the Sonoma County Libraries. They helped me earn a BA in English at Cal. Please open the libraries longer so that other student can have the same advantages I did. ”
— Annette Cadosi Wilson, Healdsburg

“ There is no excuse(s) for our library hours to be compromised. Our libraries are one institution that serves all the people. We need our library hours reinstated. ”
— Deanne Thompson, Sebastopol

“ It's an embarrassment as a teacher to tell my students or my own children that the library is closed because people refuse to fund issues they say they believe in. ”
— Lana McNamara, Guerneville

“ Please see that library hours are restored by placing the proposed sales tax measure on the November ballot. Thank you. ”
— Kate McLaren, Sebastopol

“ There is never a reason to restrict the access to knowledge. Reducing library hours does that. The libraries must remain open when people can use them. ”
— Lisa Dummer, Occidental

“ As a new mother I am particularly interested in strengthening this critical community resource which serves the whole spectrum of Sonoma County residents. ”
—Kai Harris Panym, Sebastopol

“ Libraries directly support education and are a vital resource to the community, and they should be funded accordingly. Thank you. ”
— Linda Haynes, Santa Rosa

“ Libraries and education are keys to a productive, fulfilling future. Why jeopardize that? Address and solve the budget problems (as you were elected to do) and restore the library hours. ”
— George Bereschik, Sonoma

“ This is truly a priority. Pay attention how you treat the people! ”
— Marcela Ronan, Santa Rosa

“ I've never signed a MoveOn.org petition before, but had to in this case. Any money spent on public libraries is given back to society in multiple ways. It's hard to think of a better investment in the future. ”
— Bettie G. Swan, Healdsburg

“ Opening libraries equals support for intelligence. Closing libraries equals support for ignorance. It's that simple. ”
— Alan Wonderwheel, Santa Rosa

“ Come on supervisors, do the right thing! ”
—Wendy, Sebastopol

“ As a regular user of Sonoma County libraries, I urge the Supervisors to restore the library operating hours. As I see the crowd (sometimes approaching 100) outside the Central Library waiting for doors to open, the demand is obvious, especially for under-served individuals struggling to get by in this challenging economic climate. ”
—Tim Campion, Santa Rosa

“ Benjamin Franklin, one of our greatest founding fathers, began the library system so that information could be accessed by all...one of the greatest achievements of this nation... Be wise...restore our libraries. ”
—Paula Kline, Rohnert Park

“ There are few things more important to a community than libraries. Please, please, please make them a priority. Yes, we use the library regularly! ”
—Faith Asdell, Santa Rosa

“ Libraries are one of the finest and least expensive gifts we can give to our citizenry. This is false economy to limit funding to them. When we have a well-read, well-educated population, we all prosper. ”
—Ann Boone, Healdsburg

“ Please reopen the libraries on Mondays as I often need to use it then and show up by mistake. Every day the library is crowded and well used. ”
—Marisa DeJoseph, Santa Rosa

“ I am 64 years old and frequent the library more now than ever before. It is a much more wholesome resource than chronic TV watching. Please help us in my generation to stay active and connected with our world that only a library can do. ”
—Mary England, Santa Rosa

“ Please bring the library back to full-strength. It is a beacon of learning and intelligence in our community. ”
—Kristen Throop, Santa Rosa

“ As a teacher, I know what the closing of libraries does to the community... Libraries are vital. Please restore the services. I am networking among my contacts, and I've been here 30 years so I plan to get this word out. ”
—Beverly Riverwood, Sebastopol

“ YES! Why be proud of a city that can't even keep its libraries open 6 days a week? On second thought, why not try to be a first class city and be open 7 days a week? And keep those libraries open at least until 9 p.m. Come up with the ways...and the money. Or leave and let those who can do something about it take over. ”
—Trudy McMahon, Santa Rosa

“ Our libraries are a symbol of our culture's commitment to learning and growth, we must keep them open at all costs. When the going gets tough it is only determination and education that will get us through. Restore full library funding and expand the open hours. ”
—Chance Massaro, Santa Rosa

“ I use the library regularly and appreciate it tremendously. I am unable to afford books on my fixed income and would love more access. Thanks. ”
—Marjorie Schwartz, Santa Rosa

“ The library is one of the most important institutions in the county. We need more library time, not less! ”
—Pamela Hill, Graton

“ My kids love the library, it is a wonderful place for them to be able to go, has really encouraged them to learn to read. They are 3 and 5. Please help the library system ”
—Rain Shanti, Laytonville

“ Libraries support multiple community goals: education, literacy, recreation, access to the internet, etc. They are part of a supportive community and deserve our financial support. ”
—James Neary, Santa Rosa

“ Libraries are the number one source of education, considering their affordability to anyone. As the funding to libraries dwindles, so does their availability to the citizens of Sonoma County and through this education is being dwindled. This is not the kind of society that I want to live in, everyone has a right to free education, especially in Sonoma County. As a college student I use the library quite often, and when the library is closed during the majority of the time I am able to go, I find this very concerning. Fund our libraries! ”
—Melanie Luther, Petaluma

“ Save our libraries. I believe libraries are one of the quiet mainstays of our communities, places of education and community togetherness for all ages. Lets not lose them. Sonoma County Board of Supervisors please act responsibly for the benefit of the residents of Sonoma County and fund Sonoma County Libraries. ”
—Kathleen Tugwell, Sonoma

“ Oh, please pass this! It would be so helpful to have our libraries back in full swing -- it is tough for the students to have no place to go on Mondays! ”
— Elizabeth Wade, Two Rock Ranch

“ A democracy requires educated voters. Libraries play a vital role in maintaining an educated, caring electorate. Let our Sonoma County communities respond with support for raising funds to make and keep our libraries excellent. ”
—Elizabeth F Harrell, Santa Rosa

“ Library hours being cut in this county are a shame! Shame on all that were part of that decision to punish those who benefit from this important resource. Renew the hours! ”
—Talisa, Santa Rosa

“ The Sonoma County's Free Public Libraries are one of the most important resources in Sonoma. The benefits to all our citizens, but especially to job-seekers and students are invaluable. My complete support will go toward the candidates supporting this sales tax measure. ”
—John Kearns, Healdsburg

“ The library is one place where people with a fixed or limited income income can benefit. The library is for public use--we need to keep as many benefits going FOR THE PEOPLE as possible. Many people cannot afford new books or rent films. Please don't ignore us! ”
—Alice Larsen, Sebastopol

“ Lake County residents rely on the Sonoma County Library system as part of our vital network for rural patrons. Please support this petition. ”
—Betsy Cawn , Upper Lake

“ Please, please, please restore library hours! ”
—Debora Adams, Santa Rosa

“ Free public libraries in Petaluma enabled me, a poor kid with no prospects, to a career in neurosurgery! Libraries enrich our lives and are needed now especially! ”
—Nadja Levesque, Sonoma

“ As an educator for 52 years I know first hand how critical well-equipped libraries and easy access to them is to everyone. It is critical they remain open and have the means to grow and flourish. ”
—Dana Clarke, Santa Rosa

“ Access to library resources is vital to our community, especially as the economic fallout from the global financial crisis dribbles on. Surely this modest proposed tax measure is worth supporting. It's a no-brainer. ”
— Michael F McCauley, Santa Rosa

“ It's a scandal that rich Sonoma County pays less for its libraries than nearby counties. Why is this so, Sonoma County Supervisors? ”
—Susan Ackerberg, Santa Rosa

“ Save our society..... ”
—Dan Lucchesi, Rohnert Park

“ I still read! I use the library every week and I am a working professional in my sixties! Expand our libraries! Restore the Monday hours. ”
—Jennie Orvino, Santa Rosa

“ Libraries are saviors to those who don't have access to books, the internet, or a quiet place to study. Please don't take that away. ”
—Audra Montenegro, Healdsburg

“ Menodcino County passed a similar tax increase with a 75% approval rate. Do it! ”
—Jim Howlett, Ukiah

“ A 32% drop in use is unforgiveable. Please act to open our libraries. ”
—Arletta Dawdy, Santa Rosa

“ It is expedient for you, the Supervisors to pass this sales tax measure in positive response for what the Citizens, THOSE YOU ARE ELECTED TO SERVE, want to benefit particularly our Youth and our Senior Citizens. ”
—Brenda Poston-Schaeffer, Sebastopol

“ Yes! I have driven to the library in Windsor and found it locked. ”
—Paul Feiertag, Santa Rosa