FISCAL CHALLENGES

By Diane Anita Robinson

Submitted by Diane Robinson Candidate for Board of Trustees - Palos Verdes Library District

• About 88% from local property taxes, upon which the District will face the possibility that the State will "borrow" our property tax revenues with a loss as much as $500,000. Although our Board has developed a contingency budget of options to reduce costs, you are seeing this economic pinch with the reduction of library open hours and materials, such as books and computers. Nevertheless, in the short time as one of the District's 200 Volunteers, I have seen the responses from volunteers, staff, the Director and the Board continue to focus on support and continuity of library services and programs with dedicated enthusiasm.

As funding permits, I'd focus on first seeing library hours, programs and services restored to pre-recession levels. Expansion of successful, popular programs and services should then proceed. Attention to infrastructure is also badly needed for parking at Miraleste and improvements to Malaga Cove. At all times, our diverse community, our way of life and the relentless pace of technological information systems and social networking capabilities should be kept in mind.

As an advocate for senior needs, I would like to develop and implement user-friendly computer and Internet workshops, as well as a senior newsletter on crime, wellness and health issues.

Even though the State may raid as much as $500,000 of our property tax revenues, the Board has a contingency plan to get us through this. We will then be even more motivated to grow public awareness, to build fundraising civic and business partnerships and call on volunteers. I will work closely with our Friends of the Library to help them grow their memberships, donations and fundraising events and turn to police, fire, the Chamber, Teen Annex and PVPUSD for support.

All fundraising efforts should recognize donors and promote tangible, cost-effective goals for contributors: expansion of such programs as Adult Services and Young Reader. Other revenue sources to be explored would include grant-funding opportunities and facility rentals for special events, with appropriate community buy-in. By growing our revenue streams, we become less dependent on any one source, and by engaging the community, we produce a proud sense of library ownership for Palos Verdes residents.

Libraries say a lot about a community and how much value is placed on all its members from seniors to youngsters, from artists to do-it-yourselfers, from those seeking degrees to those just seeking solace. And libraries say as much about our future as our past. My responsibility as a board member will be to ensure a bright future for Palos Verdes libraries through a realization of the special resources we have and by ongoing expansion of our capabilities + always responsive to the needs of our community.

On November 3, 2009, I ask for your support and vote for smart fiscal planning, leadership and experience.