‘One for the Books’ Event Fundraiser Thursday Will Support ‘Yes on Measure L’ Campaign

With Nov. 8 fast approaching, the Yes on Measure L campaign to “Protect Pasadena’s Libraries” is hosting an event called “One for the Books” on Thursday to both raise funds and thank the current founders and supporters of the Measure L campaign.

The measure would extend an existing tax for Pasadena property owners for another 15 years.  The revenue from the tax provides approximately 20 percent of the revenue to support Pasadena’s library system.

Measure L was originally passed in 1993, reconfirmed in 1997 and 2007, and is set to expire in 2023. Residential property owners contribute approximately 10 cents a day through the measure, and the money goes directly to support library services, including salaries, resources, books, and materials.

Campaign proponents have set up a website for the campaign which focuses on the slogan, “Protect Pasadena’s Libraries.”

“The best things in life aren’t free… but sometimes they are cheap! We can ‘Protect Pasadena’s Libraries’ with no new taxes by voting YES on Measure L on Nov. 8, 2022,” the website’s subheading says.

“One for the Books,” the event on Thursday, will honor and thank the Pasadena Community Foundation, trustee of the Pasadena Public Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library for continuing to support the nine Pasadena libraries.

Ken Chawkins, a long-time Pasadena resident and active civic leader, is the campaign’s coordinator. He said not passing Measure L would have devastating effects on the libraries’ services.

“If this ballot measure does not pass with at least 67 percent of the vote, the library budget for the City of Pasadena, will undoubtedly be cut at least 20 percent,” Chawkins said. “This revenue source has been in place for 29 years and has produced about approximately 20 percent of the library budget. And that’s staff time, services and materials, etc. What’s important to note is that when this passes, the City of Pasadena can’t reduce the library budget.”

The organizers warned every one of the local branch libraries could face either closure or deep cuts in hours and services if the measure is not passed in November. Programs for children and seniors will be devastated, so will references, new acquisitions, adult literacy, online services, and much more – the worst losses in the library’s 138-year history, they added.

“What they should know is that this (Measure L) is not a new tax,” Chawkins said. “The tax has been in existence on your property bill for 29 years, it’s the equivalent of 10 cents a day. And if anybody has used the library or walked in any of the nine branches, it is an asset to the city of Pasadena that is of high value in the city.”

“One for the Books” begins at 6 p.m. at Brookside Club House, at 1133 Rosemont Ave. in Pasadena. Food, drinks, live music from Pasadena Unified School District students, and library mementos will be available onsite.

Tickets are $50 each, although sponsorship packages are available, from a Library Award Sponsor level at $250, up to a Nobel Prize Sponsor category at $2,500.

“We have one shot at this right now and we must get over 67 percent for this to pass,” Chawkins said. “So it’s important for people to not ignore this item on the ballot. There are important items on the ballot – this is one of them. And we really want people to think hard about how simply 10 cents a day gets you a library system that’s one of the elements that makes Pasadena what it is as a great city.”

To RSVP for the event, visit www.protectpasadenaslibraries.com/rsvp.

For more information about the Pasadena Public Library system and Measure L, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/measurel.