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Agenda Item
3 26-0393 Subject: 2025 Library Commission Annual Report
From: Oakland Public Library
Recommendation: Receive An Informational Report From The Oakland Public Library Commission (LC) For The 2025 Calendar Year
I write as an Oakland resident to urge full restoration of the $14.5 million General Purpose Fund appropriation to the Oakland Public Library.
Libraries are essential public infrastructure. Across 16 neighborhood branches, they provide safe, welcoming spaces for children, seniors, job seekers, and families, along with access to books, technology, literacy programs, workforce support, and community connection. For many, they are among the only free and stable public spaces available.
Voters affirmed this priority; failing to meet that obligation undermines the will of the voters and puts critical services at risk, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to access.
The Library Commission’s report highlights a system already doing more with limited resources, from adult literacy through Second Start to outreach in East Oakland and implementation of the Racial Equity Action Plan. These efforts depend on stable, reliable funding.
At a time of fiscal uncertainty, protecting core services is critical. Libraries are a cost-effective investment in education, public safety, and community well-being. Reducing funding now will deepen inequities and increase long-term costs.
I urge you to honor voter mandates and restore full funding.
I am a District 4 homeowner and voter who loves the Oakland Public Library. The library provides a safe sanctuary for all ages, and free, accurate information and entertainment opportunities for all. It is crucial that this Committee and Council fully fund the library during the upcoming budget cycle. Additionally, this Committee and Council should approve and appropriate funding for needed capital improvements throughout the system and fund the purchase of a facility for a new Hoover-Durant library.
Helen Bloch
Wilbur Street
My name is Hannah Germonprez. I am writing in support of the Library Council's requests:
A. That the City Council restore $14.5 million General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
B. That the City Council support capital appropriations for the Hoover-Durant neighborhood library and electrical / energy upgrades at multiple branches in the next bond sale.
My name is Corey Hatcher, VP of the Friends of the Oakland Public Library. I urge you to support the Library Commission's report and restore the full General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
Voter-approved Measures C & D, which fund our libraries, require a minimum General Fund contribution to be collected. This can only be waived for a "Severe and Unanticipated" financial event. While the city's crisis is severe, it was not unanticipated, as city reports from 2021-2023 predicted deficits.
Failing to meet this requirement means the parcel taxes—which make up 75% of the library's budget—will not be collected. This would decimate our libraries and betray the trust of the 80% of Oakland voters who passed Measure C specifically to fund these services.
Please follow your Library Commission’s recommendation. Restore the $14.5 million General Fund appropriation for FY26-27 and support the requested capital appropriations for our branches. Thank you.
My name is Kathryn Sterbenc. I'm a longtime director on the Friends of the Oakland Public Library board and former chair of the City’s Library Commission.
In support of your Library Commission, I’m here to urge you to restore the full General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27. OPL is funded through Measures C and D – parcel taxes approved by voters – along with the General Fund. Measures C and D require minimum contributions from the General Fund for tax collection. Only with a “Financial Event” that is "Severe and Unanticipated" can this General Fund amount be reduced. While the city clearly is facing a severe financial event, it cannot be called Unanticipated. The City itself issued multiple reports anticipating future deficits in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Failure to meet these requirements places current and future OPL budgets in a dangerous position. The City Council has already previously waived the maintenance of effort on Measures C and D in the past. If these requirements are again not met in the FY26-27 budget, the parcel taxes will not be collected. These two parcel taxes represent SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the library's budget. If they are not collected, the library will be decimated.
More than 80% of Oakland voters voted yes for Measure C to collect these funds exclusively for library services. Please don’t betray their trust. Follow your Library Commission’s recommendation and restore the full General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
I am writing in support of the Library Commission's Requests:
A. That the City Council restore $14.5 million General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
B. That the City Council support capital appropriations for the Hoover-Durant neighborhood library and electrical / energy upgrades at multiple branches in the next bond sale.
Dear Chair Fife and Committee Members,
I write as an Oakland resident to urge full restoration of the $14.5 million General Purpose Fund appropriation to the Oakland Public Library.
Libraries are essential public infrastructure. Across 16 neighborhood branches, they provide safe, welcoming spaces for children, seniors, job seekers, and families, along with access to books, technology, literacy programs, workforce support, and community connection. For many, they are among the only free and stable public spaces available.
Voters affirmed this priority; failing to meet that obligation undermines the will of the voters and puts critical services at risk, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to access.
The Library Commission’s report highlights a system already doing more with limited resources, from adult literacy through Second Start to outreach in East Oakland and implementation of the Racial Equity Action Plan. These efforts depend on stable, reliable funding.
At a time of fiscal uncertainty, protecting core services is critical. Libraries are a cost-effective investment in education, public safety, and community well-being. Reducing funding now will deepen inequities and increase long-term costs.
I urge you to honor voter mandates and restore full funding.
Sincerely,
Wesley Saver
I am a District 4 homeowner and voter who loves the Oakland Public Library. The library provides a safe sanctuary for all ages, and free, accurate information and entertainment opportunities for all. It is crucial that this Committee and Council fully fund the library during the upcoming budget cycle. Additionally, this Committee and Council should approve and appropriate funding for needed capital improvements throughout the system and fund the purchase of a facility for a new Hoover-Durant library.
Helen Bloch
Wilbur Street
My name is Hannah Germonprez. I am writing in support of the Library Council's requests:
A. That the City Council restore $14.5 million General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
B. That the City Council support capital appropriations for the Hoover-Durant neighborhood library and electrical / energy upgrades at multiple branches in the next bond sale.
My name is Corey Hatcher, VP of the Friends of the Oakland Public Library. I urge you to support the Library Commission's report and restore the full General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
Voter-approved Measures C & D, which fund our libraries, require a minimum General Fund contribution to be collected. This can only be waived for a "Severe and Unanticipated" financial event. While the city's crisis is severe, it was not unanticipated, as city reports from 2021-2023 predicted deficits.
Failing to meet this requirement means the parcel taxes—which make up 75% of the library's budget—will not be collected. This would decimate our libraries and betray the trust of the 80% of Oakland voters who passed Measure C specifically to fund these services.
Please follow your Library Commission’s recommendation. Restore the $14.5 million General Fund appropriation for FY26-27 and support the requested capital appropriations for our branches. Thank you.
My name is Kathryn Sterbenc. I'm a longtime director on the Friends of the Oakland Public Library board and former chair of the City’s Library Commission.
In support of your Library Commission, I’m here to urge you to restore the full General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27. OPL is funded through Measures C and D – parcel taxes approved by voters – along with the General Fund. Measures C and D require minimum contributions from the General Fund for tax collection. Only with a “Financial Event” that is "Severe and Unanticipated" can this General Fund amount be reduced. While the city clearly is facing a severe financial event, it cannot be called Unanticipated. The City itself issued multiple reports anticipating future deficits in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Failure to meet these requirements places current and future OPL budgets in a dangerous position. The City Council has already previously waived the maintenance of effort on Measures C and D in the past. If these requirements are again not met in the FY26-27 budget, the parcel taxes will not be collected. These two parcel taxes represent SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the library's budget. If they are not collected, the library will be decimated.
More than 80% of Oakland voters voted yes for Measure C to collect these funds exclusively for library services. Please don’t betray their trust. Follow your Library Commission’s recommendation and restore the full General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
I am writing in support of the Library Commission's Requests:
A. That the City Council restore $14.5 million General Fund appropriation to OPL’s budget for FY26-27.
B. That the City Council support capital appropriations for the Hoover-Durant neighborhood library and electrical / energy upgrades at multiple branches in the next bond sale.