Acclaimed Local Authors and Library Lovers United to Raise Funds

Authors Molly Gloss and Phillip Margolin

Portland, March 13th. Library Lovers filled The Old Church downtown for an event hosted by the Friends of the Library, Multnomah County. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus) The acclaimed local authors backing the libraries included: Molly Gloss, and Phillip Margolin, in addition, Kim Stafford, Jean M. Auel, Phillip Margolin, Libraries Yes Chairman Brian Wilson and author, Ursula K. Le Guin.

Acclaimed local authors: Molly Gloss, Kim Stafford, Jean M. Auel, Phillip Margolin, Libraries Yes Chairman Brian Wilson and author, Ursula K. Le Guin

County Commissioners Jeff Cogen, Diane McKeel, and Deborah Kafoury

Ursula Le Guin and Jean Auel

County Commissioner Diane McKeel and Libraries Yes Chairman Brian Wilson

Ursula Le Guin speaks to the crowd

The event was held at The Old Church, at 1422 Southwest 11th Avenue, Portland, OR

The Friends of the Multnomah County Library (FOL) advocate for and support our public library system.

From Friends of the Library, Multnomah County.

The Friends of the Multnomah County Library (FOL) advocate for and support our outstanding public library. We are committed to raising the standard of excellence of our library by funding programs and services beyond what is allocated in the operating budget. We also sponsor activities which bring together people who value libraries.

The Two-Part Plan to Save Our Library

The commissioners approved this final proposal at their January 5 board meeting. The room was packed with library supporters. The details of the final proposal are as follows:

This will be a two-step process.

1.A 3 year $.89 local option renewal in May 2012

2.District Ballot Measure November 2012

The First Step is A Levy Campaign for May 2012

Summary of a 3 year levy @ $0.89 cents:

The county would maintain its current ongoing general fund commitment to the library – including yearly increases for inflation
ALL library branches would remain open, albeit with reduced hours
ALL outreach services would be maintained
$10M in one-time-only funds would be transferred to the library at the outset to buy back hours over the life of the levy
Cuts would amount to approximately 10% (compared to 66% if the ballot measure fails)

The Second Step Is A District Campaign in November 2012

The board’s resolution will include language committing the board to referring a district to the November 2014 ballot.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.