BREAKING RECORDS AT THE POLLS

摘要

EveryLibrary and LJ tracked a total of 133 library ballot measures across 24 states in 2017. A majority (85) were for operating funds to maintain or expand library programs, staffing, services, and collections. We are very happy to report that 83 of those 85 measures passed. This 98% pass rate is the highest level of success that we have tracked in the last ten years. Ballot questions related to updating, renovating, or building new library facilities also enjoyed a high rate of success, with 28 of 39 measures passing (72%). All nine of the "governance"-related questions, such as establishing a district or annexing new areas for service into a district, also passed. Overall, 90% of all library ballots passed in 2017, in both red states and blue ones, in small towns and in big cities, as components of larger municipal questions or as dedicated library measures. (Of these, EveryLibrary worked on 17 referenda, resulting in 14 wins, one partial win, and two losses. These include eight new or significantly expanded library buildings in six towns, seven increases in operating funds, and two new library districts.)